Publish date: 13 June 2023
As the hot weather continues, it’s important to look after yourself and those around you.
Staying safe in the sun
Visit NHS website for tips on how to cope in the hot weather and how to be safe in the sun.
As the weather gets warmer, it's worth checking to see if your bottle of sunscreen is still effective.
Did you know, the longer a bottle of sunscreen is open, the less effective it is at protecting you?
If you’re using the same sunscreen from last summer, check that it hasn’t expired.
Sun safety tips
Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.
Make sure you:
- spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
- never burn
- cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
- take extra care with children
- use at least factor 30 sunscreen.
Dehydration
Babies, children and older adults are more at risk of dehydration. It's important to know the signs of dehyrdation and how to treat it. Visit the NHS website for more information.
You should drink fluids if you have symptoms of dehydration.
If you feel sick or have been sick, you may find it hard to drink, so start with small sips and then gradually drink more.
Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
- feeling thirsty
- dark yellow, strong-smelling pee
- peeing less often than usual
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- feeling tired
- a dry mouth, lips and tongue
- sunken eyes.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you've been exposed to high temperatures. Learn the symptoms and what to do if you or someone else shows signs of heat exhaustion.
If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
- Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
- Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.
Stay with them until they're better.
They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.