Sun safety advice as temperatures set to soar

The NHS is advising people not to get caught out by potential hot weather across the South West early next week.

The Met Office predicts Monday to Wednesday may be dry, sunny and possibly hot across the South West.

As part of its Cover Up, Mate campaign, NHS England South is advising the public to wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.

NHS England South Medical Director Nigel Acheson said: “We all like to joke about the Great British Summer, but as July’s mini heatwave showed, just a few hours of unexpected hot sun can be really intense.

“The dangers are all too clear, not only getting burned or sunstroke but also the added risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

“Put simply, Cover Up, Mate with hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself and your family.”

Latest statistics from Cancer Research show that since the late 1970s, skin cancer incidence rates have more than quadrupled (360% increase) in Great Britain.

Figures from Public Health England show the South has seen a huge rise in incidence of and deaths from malignant melanoma in recent years.

Many local areas across the South have higher rates of malignant melanoma than the national average.

Top sun safe tips include:

• Use at least factor 15 sunscreen in the sun and use plenty of it;
• Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin – don’t forget your neck and ears and your head if you have thinning or no hair;
• Wear sunglasses and a hat;
• Take particular care if have fair skin, moles or freckles, red or fair hair, or light-coloured eyes.

Official NHS Choices advice on sun safety can be found here.

The Met Office five-day regional forecast for Devon is as follows:

Today:
Another fairly mild start to a pleasantly fine day with sunny spells. It will feel pleasantly warm in the sunny spells with fairly light winds. Maximum Temperature 23 °C.

Tonight:
A fine evening with some late spells of sunshine. It will cloud over through the early hours, with some patchy light rain by dawn for most. Another mild night. Minimum Temperature 14 °C.

Saturday:
A cloudy start to the weekend with patchy light rain across the region. This will gradually ease through the afternoon. Maximum Temperature 23 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
A fine few days with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures will increase each day, peaking on Tuesday. There may perhaps be some thundery showers later on Tuesday in some areas.