To protect your skin, you should stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when the sun's UV rays are strongest. Look for shady areas such as under trees, and use umbrellas or canopies.
Watch the UV index
The UV index describes the strength of the sun's UV radiation. It's usually shown as a number in a triangle on a weather map. The numbers range from one to 11+ and the higher the number, the stronger the UV radiation. If the UV index is higher than three you will need protection when you go outside.
In many countries, the UV index is reported alongside the weather forecast in newspapers, on TV and on the radio.
Cover up
You can protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers. Choose materials that have a close weave as these block out the most UV rays. Wet clothing stretches and lets more UV radiation through to your skin.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can halve the amount of UV radiation reaching your face.
Sunglasses help to protect your eyes and eyelids. Wraparound sunglasses will also protect the skin around your eyes.
Watch the UV index
The UV index describes the strength of the sun's UV radiation. It's usually shown as a number in a triangle on a weather map. The numbers range from one to 11+ and the higher the number, the stronger the UV radiation. If the UV index is higher than three you will need protection when you go outside.
In many countries, the UV index is reported alongside the weather forecast in newspapers, on TV and on the radio.
Cover up
You can protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers. Choose materials that have a close weave as these block out the most UV rays. Wet clothing stretches and lets more UV radiation through to your skin.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can halve the amount of UV radiation reaching your face.
Sunglasses help to protect your eyes and eyelids. Wraparound sunglasses will also protect the skin around your eyes.
