The sun is shining, a nice breeze is blowing, and it’s a perfect day for cruising down the Pamlico.

Lying out on the boat for hours, the rays feel warm on the skin and a nice suntan is in the works. But wait: after going inside, it’s not a suntan at all — it’s painful sunburn.

This scenario happens more often than not during the summer, especially in warmer areas. Applying sunscreen once, or even twice, simply doesn’t cut it. Sunburns are undoubtedly painful, but more importantly, they significantly increase one’s risk of skin cancer, which can be deadly. Experiencing sunburn just once every other year could potentially triple one’s risk of melanoma, according to one cancer research group.

The N.C. Central Cancer Registry reports that melanoma is the fifth most common type of cancer. From 2008-2012 (the most recent data), people ages 65-84 saw the highest incidence of melanoma, followed by people ages 45-64. However, more than 16 percent of cases occurred in people ages 20-44.

The Sun Safety Alliance offers the following tips to prevent sunburn:

• Remember the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear clothing that’s dark and/or tightly woven.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Keep infants out of the sun.
• Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly over all areas of the body that may be exposed.
• Use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Children should use sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
• Apply sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply often, especially if one is sweating or in contact with water.
• Apply sunscreen in those often-forgotten places, including ears, lips, neck and scalp.

Summer should be a fun time for all residents, and it certainly can be if the appropriate precautions are heeded. Don’t be afraid to work on a nice suntan — just do it safely.