Sun safety should be practiced at all stages in life.  From infants to adults, it has been shown that your risk for skin cancer later in life increases in direct proportion to the amount of sun over-exposure.  Sun safety is especially important for infants and babies whose skin contain just a little melanin, the pigment in the skin that offers protection from the sun.  Without this added layer of protection, the child is much more susceptible to sub burns.  Parents should try to monitor exposure at all times whether the child is out in the open, in the car, or even at home near windows.

TPGonlinedaily has tips regarding child sun safety.  One tip recommends installing window tint on the windows in the car.  If you do not like the “Dark” look of window tintint, there is UV blocking film that is completely clear without any tint added.   These films do not have as good heat-rejection qualities as film with heavier tinting, but they do block 99% of UV radiation.   These clear UV window tint is available for purchase at SnapTint.com.

Of course, some exposure to sunlight does good to the body.  Your skin requires 10-15 minutes of sunlight every day for your body to  manufacture the a daily dose of vitamin D.  A natural source of vitamin D is cod liver oil which can be used to supplement your body’s protection.  Beyond this 10-15 minutes every day, practice sun safety with window film, sunblock, and your common sense.

AOL Autos recently wrote up an article about ways to keep your car cool.

Window tinting is very effective in lowering interior temperatures. However, there are different rules regulating window tinting for every state. Some states prohibit tinting of the front windows so police officers can see into a vehicle during a traffic stop. Other states allow tinting, but the degree of tinting is defined, which varies from state to state. So before having your vehicle’s windows tinted, check with your state DMV to make sure you don’t break any laws.

It is nice to see that the effectiveness of window tint is starting to be realized by mainstream media.  Window tint is not just for the young and reckless who want to look cool, the criminals who have something to hide, or the celebrities protecting their privacy.  There is a very practical use to window tint to protect your own health from the heat and UV of the harsh sun.

It is true that each state has its own individual tint laws regarding what is legal and what is not.  Be sure to check out the tint laws in your state before you tint.

Despite the benefits to window tinting, you often hear the negative stereotype that the only people tinting their windows are criminals.  This is far from the truth, as people of all types and backgrounds are choosing to tint their cars for UV and heat rejection.  Although a tinted car may make police feel much more cautious when approaching as the occupants may not be visible, I do believe that this stereotype is severely overplayed. TintCenter enjoyed a recent window tint rant by the LRC blog

As of July 1, Florida cops are permitted to impose about a $100 fine for each person in a vehicle who is not wearing a seat belt.  So tinted windows, which are pervasive in Florida, are seen as a major obstruction to tax collection.  Just in case the Booboisee might object, the news show put on the screen an A-K47 that was allegedly taken from a car with — you guessed it — tinted windows. It just stands to reason, then, that the Florida legislature should outlaw curtains and all other forms of home window coverings.  Who knows what heinous crimes might be committed behind those curtains!

I repeatedly express my admiration for the people in uniform including our cops on the streets, but I subscribe to the greater good theory.  In 2008, around 130 cops die in the line of duty of which a small percentage is due to tinted cars.  On the other hand, consider these facts about skin cancer in the US:

• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
• Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two major forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once.
• In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers was more than $1 billion.
• About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
• Up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.
• Contrary to popular belief, 80 percent of a person’s lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18; only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18.

It is pretty clear which side is the “greater good”.

TintCenter tries to keep up to date with changes to state tint laws, but to be honest, it is quite hard to keep track of 50 states plus US territories all the time.  We missed a change that happened in Maine, which was pointed out by a R Harvey that resides most probably in Maine.

The Maine Tint Law originally required 50% VLT on all side and rear windows.  This new law revises the allowed darkness down to 35%.   Complete breakdown of the patchwork of laws that make up the enter Maine Tint law is available here.

Although we here at TintCenter honor the service of state and local police departments for their courage in service, we continue to believe that the dangers of over-exposure to sun and heat inside vehicles contribute to more human and animal deaths a year than the policemen killed due to a criminal pulling a gun in a tinted car.

This press release from SolarGard caught my eye today.  It was titled SolarGard Releases Nanotech-based Window Film for Cars that Blocks 99% of UV Rays. Although this sounds impressive, does it really mean that much?

What some people do not know is that most quality window films block 95+% of UV rays. Maybe the difference is performance?

It is stated that the SolarGard Ultra film can block up to half of solar energy.  The same can be said about SolarGard’s line of HP car tint as well.

Finally, it is not mentioned is that the SolarGard Ultra product costs 2-3 times the price of conventional film.

So is nano-tech window film worth the price?

TintCenter recommends against using nanotech for car tint, unless your state tint laws or personal preference require the tint to be very light rather than dark.

An new report about legal window tint in Texas inspired some words of advice and thoughts.

The new law ,which goes into effect in September, says front window tint can be no lower then 35. “The lower the number the darker the tint,” explains Smith.

Often times, buyers of tint assumes that since the law requires 35 or above, they purchase 35 or above window tint.  Unfortunately, this is not exactly the case.  The glass itself also naturally reduces the amount of sunlight coming through, so it would be safest to go with 40% or above window tint.  More state tint laws from various states are available at TintCenter.com

The new law doesn’t apply to the back windows and Smith says don’t be fooled by the color of a tint. “Some folks think darker tint is better at rejecting the sun.” Smith says that’s not always true. Thicker film cost more but can do a better job of keeping your car cool, and keeping it within the law.

This comment is correct; however, to be more specific.  You should ask for multi-layer hybrid or metallic window film.  Stay away from dyed film, and especially single-layer dyed film.  The window tint shop should be happy to tell you what type of window film they use.   If there is any hesitation, you should take caution.

TAMPA – A Tampa woman poured gasoline in front of and around the side of an occupied business and threw a lighter on the gas before fleeing Monday afternoon, Tampa police say.

The incident occurred outside a window tinting business at 2604 N. 22nd St.

Cynthia L. Williams, 54, of Tampa, argued with a person about Williams “soliciting money for crack cocaine on his property,” a Tampa police arrest report states. “The defendant left but returned with a one gallon container of gasoline. The defendant then poured the gasoline in front of and around the east side of the structure while it was occupied.”

Williams was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with attempted first-degree arson.

“The defendant was questioned in reference to a close by structure arson but denied involvement,” the report states. “At the time of arrest, the defendant was in possession of the one gallon container of gas and two lighters.”

She remains in Orient Road Jail. Her bail has not been set.

From TampaBayOnline.

With the unveiling of a new global logo and website, Sunprotech is reaching beyond its traditional market to appeal to discerning owners who are looking for the best in quality and comfort.  Full press release.

V-KOOL® International is pleased to announce the appointment of a new area franchisee in Metro Manila, Philippines, as part of IQue franchisees worldwide expansion plans.  With a population of about 90 million people on an archipelago of some seven thousand islands, the Philippines government is increasingly advocating the use of energy efficient products for both homes and offices as well as encouraging its citizens to reduce their own carbon footprint.  Full press release.

Ever had the problem of laser mice on a glass desktop?  The mouse just does not seem to track correctly with your hand movements.  Lifehacker presents a fun solution by applying just a little window film.  You can also cut the window film to any shape and size you wish.