Sun safety warning goes out from Royal Cornwall Hospital as temperatures soar
People are being urged to stay hydrated to avoid trips to A&E
Bosses at the Royal Cornwall Hospital have issued a sun safety warning as temperatures soar across Cornwall.
Temperatures are in the high twenties over the next few days and the Met Office says we could even see some areas hit 30C.
The Duchy is set to see a heatwave, which is when temperatures exceed 25C for three days or more.
Heatwave forecast for Cornwall this weekend - and it COULD reach 30C
But all the hot sunny weather is coming at a time when Treliske, and the whole hospital system across Cornwall, is under extreme pressure.
People are being urged to stay hydrated, especially the elderly, to avoid the increased risk of dizziness and falls.
Doctor Andy Virr is from the emergency department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and says staying out of the sun could really help to avoid attendances or admissions and reduce pressure on our hospital, ambulance and GP services.
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
make sure you never burn
cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
take extra care with children
use at least factor 30 sunscreen
What factor sunscreen (SPF) should I use?
Do not rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun's at its hottest.
When buying sunscreen, the label should have:
a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB
at least 4-star UVA protection
UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters "UVA" in a circle, which indicates that it meets the EU standard.
Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiry date. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years.
Do not spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
Who should take extra care in the sun?
You should take extra care in the sun if you:
have pale, white or light brown skin
have freckles or red or fair hair
tend to burn rather than tan
have many moles
have skin problems relating to a medical condition
are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday)
are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense
have a family history of skin cancer
People who spend a lot of time in the sun, whether it's for work or play, are at increased risk of skin cancer if they do not take the right precautions.
People with naturally brown or black skin are less likely to get skin cancer, as darker skin has some protection against UV rays. But skin cancer can still occur.
You can find more advice from the NHS here.