The sun can have a damaging effect on our skin and health, whether we are at home or on holiday.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland, accounting for more than 31 percent of all cancers here.
Staying safe in the sun
Adults and children need to stay safe in the sun all year round. However, it is particularly important during the summer months between 11am and 3pm each day.
You can take a number of simple steps to help protect against the sun’s harmful rays:
- Stay in the shade where possible.
- Cover up when you are out in the sun.
- Wear sunglasses with 100 percent ultraviolet (UV) protection.
- Wear a broad brimmed hat.
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) protection of four stars. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (SPF 50 for children or people with pale skin).
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun and apply again every two hours.
If you are confused about what SPF to use for your skin type, try this sun protection factor calculator.
Useful links
Care in the sun website
Looking after yourself in hot weather
Stay safe in the sun – easy read leaflet