Protection from the sun

People most at risk

Everyone should spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest, between 11.00 am  and 3.00 pm.

The heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk of serious harm.

Remember to think of those who may be more at risk from the effects of heat.

Listen to the weather forecast so you know if a heatwave is on the way.

Plan ahead to reduce the risk of ill health from the heat.

Those most at risk of serious harm from the effects of heat include:

• older people, especially those over 75
• babies and young children
• people with serious mental health problems
• people on certain medication
• people with a serious chronic condition, particularly breathing or heart problems
• people who already have a high temperature from an infection
• people who misuse alcohol or take illicit drugs
• people with mobility problems
• people who are physically active, like manual workers and athletes

A child under six months old should never be exposed to direct sunlight, as they burn much faster than adults. Even in the shade they can be burned by reflected UV.

Never use a closed car to provide shade. Cars can become extremely warm on sunny days.

Do not leave babies and small children in the car, as they can become dangerously overheated very quickly.

Feeling unwell in the sun

If you or others start to feel unwell:

• try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache - move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature
• drink water or fruit juice to rehydrate
• rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular cramps (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, in many cases after sustained exercise during very hot weather), and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes
• medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour
• speak with your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist
• seek medical advice if the symptoms get worse or don't go away

If you suspect someone has heatstroke

Heatstroke can kill - it can develop very suddenly and rapidly lead to unconsciousness.

If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately.

While waiting for the ambulance:

• move the person somewhere cooler
• increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan
• cool them down as quickly as possibly by loosening their clothes, sprinkling them with cold water or wrapping them in a damp sheet
• if they are conscious, give them water or fruit juice to drink
• do not give them aspirin or paracetamol

Sunscreens and how to use them

The weather can be unpredictable and people from Northern Ireland normally have skin that will burn very quickly from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Over exposure to UV rays from the sun can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer.  

When the sun shines, don’t leave home without sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and make sure you cover up.

The UV Index tells you how strong the sun is. Where possible, look for the UV Index on the weather forecast – when it is three or more you will need to apply sunscreen to protect your skin.

Sunscreens can work in a couple of ways, as they:

• reflect dangerous UV rays away from your skin
• absorb UV rays before they can penetrate your skin

There are two types of UV radiation that you need to protect your skin from – UVA and UVB.

UVA is associated with skin ageing, while UVB is mostly responsible for sunburn and has strong links to skin cancer.

UVA

UVA protection in sunscreen guards against skin ageing by filtering out UVA radiation. In Northern Ireland, UVA protection is measured with a ‘star’ system ranging from zero to five stars.

UVB (SPF)

SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’ – the sunscreen’s ability to filter out UVB radiation.

The higher the SPF number the better the protection.

SPF 15 will block 93 per cent of UV radiation, while a SPF 30+ will give more protection, screening out at least 96 per cent of UV radiation.

Experts recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and a UVA rating of at four or five stars.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun to allow it to dry.

Reapply it at least every two hours, and immediately after swimming, perspiring, or towel-drying, or if it has rubbed off.

Apply the correct amount of sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.

For a sunscreen lotion, an adult should use at least six full teaspoons, distributed evenly across the body, to get the correct level of protection.

It’s important to remember that no sunscreen gives 100 per cent protection against UV rays.

You can get more information on how you should apply sunscreen at the links below:

• British Association of Dermatologists' factsheet
• Sun protection

Sunscreens are available as:

• gels
• wipes
• creams
• roll-ons
• sprays

Choose one with a scent and feel that you like.

If skin sensitivity is an issue, go for products for sensitive skin or for children.

Keeping cool

It is best for your health to avoid getting too hot in the first place.

• stay out of the sun between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm
• if you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear suitable clothing, including a hat (suitable clothing includes a long-sleeved top and trousers or a long skirt in close-weave fabrics)
• wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothing
• wear a broad-brimmed hat as they protect your ears, neck and face
• wear sunglasses
• avoid extreme physical exertion, and if you can't avoid strenuous outdoor activity, like sport, DIY or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day like early in the morning or evening
• have plenty of cold drinks such as water and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
• eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content
• take a cool shower, bath or body wash
• sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
• Hot weather advice

Keeping your environment cool

Keeping your living space cool is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or those who can't look after themselves.

You should:

• keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped and it is safe to do so
• close curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun
• take care with metal blinds and dark curtains as they absorb heat - consider replacing them or putting reflective material in between them and the window
• place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature
• turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment - they generate heat
• keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house as evaporation helps keep cool the air
• if possible, move into a cooler room especially for sleeping

Electrical fans may provide some relief if temperatures are below 35 degrees. Using a fan for temperatures above 35 degrees may not prevent heat-related illness and may cause dehydration.

The advice is not to aim the fan directly on the body and to have regular drinks. This is especially important in the case of sick people confined to bed.

On the ski slopes

If you're going on a skiing holiday, you will need to protect your skin and eyes from the sun.

Temperatures may be extremely cold but the risk of getting sunburn is still very high.

The risk of sunburn is much greater in mountainous regions than at sea level, as the atmosphere is thinner and less pollution is present therefore making the UV rays much stronger.

You should also remember that the snow reflects almost 90 per cent of UV radiation, meaning that the UV rays are much more likely to burn areas such as your nose or your skin if they aren’t covered up.

• Care in the sun

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory. They protect the eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes from the sun.

Advice on sunglasses includes:

• always wear sunglasses that provide 100 per cent UV protection
• all sunglasses should carry a consumer information label – make sure that yours block both UVA and UVB or look for the British Standard kite mark or the CE mark
• start wearing sunglasses early in life – once there is enough nose to perch them on - but it is never too late to start
• if you wear corrective lenses, ask your optician for advice on UV-protective coating, attachable protective shades or prescription sunglasses
• coloured glasses are less effective at blocking UV
• polarisation reduces glare but has little effect on UV blocking
• wrap-arounds and close fitting sunglasses allow minimum UV to reach the eyes – no sneaking in at the sides
• overexposure to UV can cause eye irritation, damage to the tissues and temporary blindness (snow blindness) - it is now known to cause the development of cataracts

Sun safety tips

There are some simple steps you can take to help protect against harmful UV rays and reduce your risk of skin cancer:

• know the UV index and when it is three or more, protect your skin and eyes
• seek shade when the UV rays are strongest between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm
• cover up in the sun with long-sleeved t-shirt and a broad-brimmed hat
• wear sunglasses that have CE or British Standard marks which carry a UV 400 label and offer 100 per cent UV protection that give adequate protection from both UVA and UVB
• sunglasses should fit your face well and snugly so that light  doesn't enter your eye from around the lens
• use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 for UVB protection and UVA four-plus stars

More useful links

• Met Office UV Index
• Care in the sun
• Skin cancer information and sun protection advice (Cancer Research UK website)
• Staying safe in the sun (Cancer Focus NI website)