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Sun and heat safety

Please take care of yourself, your family and friends when spending time outside in the sun. 

Sun Safety Tips

Protect yourself, family and friends this summer by following these sun safety tips.

Stay out of the heat 

  • Spend time in the shade during peak-heat times (between 11am and 3pm)
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities such as sport, DIY or gardening. If this is not possible, do it during the cooler parts of the day
  • Use sunscreens or sun blocks to help prevent sunburn
  • Cover up by wearing a t-shirt or other loose-fitting clothes
  • Wear a hat to shade your head and sunglasses to protect your eyes
  • Check on those who are vulnerable to the effects of heat, especially the elderly, young children and babies and those who have a heart or respiratory condition such as asthma
  • Never leave babies, young children or animals in a parked vehicle. Temperatures can soar very quickly in a parked car, and children under two are particularly at risk of getting heatstroke or heat exhaustion.

What factor sunscreen should I use?

Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB and at least 4-star UVA protection. Check the expiry date of the sunscreen before applying.

Do not rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the suns at its hottest.

How to deal with sunburns

  • Sponge sore skin with cool water or take a cool shower or bath, then apply soothing after sun cream or spray
  • Stay out of the sun until all signs of redness have gone
  • Drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration
  • Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, will ease the pain by helping to reduce inflammation caused by sunburn

Seek medical help if you feel unwell or the skin swells badly or blisters. Visit the NHS 111 Wales website for further advice.

Cool down

  • Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water
  • Take a cool bath or shower, or splash your face with cold water to cool down

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

See the NHS 111 Wales website for more information: NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

NHS 111 Wales symptom checker for sun and heat exposure: NHS 111 Wales - Check Your Symptoms : Sun and Heat Exposure

Useful information and resources

  • Extreme Hot Weather - Public Health Wales information about staying safe in extreme hot weather 
  • NHS 111 Wales Sun safety - Useful information and advice for adults and children on sunscreen and sun safety in the UK and abroad.
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