May is National Melanoma Awareness Month and, while the month is almost over, the message it sent will become especially important the further we get into summer.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. And the chances to develop it will grow much higher as folks head to the beach for vacation, to the local public pool to cool off or to the backyard to work on their tans.

There are simple ways to prevent melanoma from hurting you and your family, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Look for shade when you can, especially when the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wear protective clothing like long-sleeve shirts, hats and sunglasses to protect yourself from UV rays.

When you do get sun on your skin, wear a good water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours. And perform regular skin self-exams to check for suspicious spots.

Take those steps to make sure your summer is a safe one for your skin.