Stay Safe in the Sun

Now that temperatures are increasing, it’s only natural that we all want to make the most of the sunny weather, and indeed it is very healthy,  to spend some time in sunlight every day to keep our vitamin-D levels topped up and our bones strong.  But it’s important that we all stay safe in the sun, especially when it is most intense as we move into the summer months. By being careful we can easily avoid the risks of sunburn and heatstroke and potential long-term consequences of over-exposure, such as skin cancer

Anyone wanting to stay safe in the sun can do so by following a few simple tips: spending time in the shade when the sun’s rays are at their most intense between 11am and 3pm, using factor 15+ sunscreen, and covering more at-risk areas up with t-shirts, hats and sunglasses.

Babies and young children are much more vulnerable to the damaging effects of the sun’s rays as they have delicate, thinner skin, so be sure to protect them by keeping them out of direct sunlight, applying factor 15+ sunscreen to their skin and putting on sunhats to shield their faces from burns.

Common problems associated with very hot weather include dehydration, overheating – which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

To keep cool, NHS Derby City and NHS Derbyshire County advise wearing loose cotton clothes, spraying or splashing faces and the backs of necks with cold water several times a day, staying in the coolest rooms of the house as much as possible, and drinking lots of cold drinks. Excess alcohol should also be avoided, and rooms kept cooler by reducing heat from sunlight coming through the windows by using shutters.

Windows should be kept closed when the room is cooler than it is outside. People should also open windows at night when the temperature outside has dropped.

Further information is available at http://www.derbyshireprepared.org.uk/current_issues/heatwave_advice/