Sun Awareness Week takes place on 04 to 10 May 2021. It is spearheaded by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and aims to raise awareness of skin cancer.

The campaign is two-pronged and combines prevention and detection advice. The first aim is to encourage people to regularly self-examine for skin cancer. The second is to teach people about the dangers of sunburn and excessive tanning, and to discourage people from using sunbeds

As the weather improves and the temperatures rise, many of us will be spending more time outdoors in our gardens or yards either gardening or relaxing with our families and friends, or going outdoors to get some exercise. It is important when spending time outside, to be sun safe and ensure that both adults and children are not overexposed to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

The Solar UV Index, which is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk/uv, shows how much solar radiation is reaching us from the sun and how careful we need to be.

Take a moment to watch the Be UV Aware video from Cancer Focus NI

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HRreus76YzA

Top tips to help protect against harmful UV rays:

• know the UV index and when the UV index is three or more, protect your skin and eyes;
• seek shade when the UV rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm;
• cover up in the sun with a long sleeved t-shirt and a broad brim hat;
• wear sunglasses that have CE or EN Standard Marks, which carry a UV 400 label and offer 100% UV protection. This will ensure they provide adequate protection from both UVA and UVB;
• sunglasses should fit your face well and relatively snugly so that light doesn't enter your eye from around the lens;
• use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 for UVB protection and UVA 4-stars.

For more information, including, The Sunscreen Fact Sheet, Sun Advice for Skin of Colour, Vitamin D Information and Sun Awareness Leaflets and Posters, simply follow the link below

https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/sun-awareness/

Or for advice for adults and children on sunscreen and sun safety in the UK and abroad, follow this link

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

Why not test your sun awareness knowledge? To give it a try, click here.