At last the warm weather is here, but don't let your fun in the sun put you at risk. Here are some top summer health dangers and how you can avoid them.

Skin cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in this country. But if caught early, skin cancer is usually treated easily. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (or from artificial UV light such as tanning beds) increases the risk for developing skin cancer. Other risk factors include:

-- Light skin, eyes or hair

-- Skin that burns or freckles easily

-- Unusual moles that are irregular in shape or larger or darker than normal moles

-- A family history of melanoma

Protect yourself by having regular skin screenings and wearing the appropriate sunscreen. For extra protection, wear a sunhat if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time, and keep in mind the sun's peak hours are between 10:00 am and 4:00pm.

While some experts advocate for short periods of unprotected sunlight to help with Vitamin D deficiency, the key here is moderation: most experts agree you should not be unprotected for more than 10 or 15 minutes. (For more see, Get your Vitamin D.) Not sure which sunscreen is best for you? For some great tips, click here.

Eye damage. Sunlight can damage not only skin, but also your eyes. Long-term exposure to UV rays can contribute to eye disease such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Bright light can damage your retina and even cause your eyes to become sunburned, a temporary but often painful condition known as photokeratitis. To protect your eyes, be sure to wear sunglasses that filter out 100 per cent of UV light, especially around water, which can reflect a tremendous amount of light to your eyes.

For more information on how to get the best protection for your eyes, see Sunglasses: more than a fashion statement.