UK NHS urges shade‑time and SPF30 sunscreen use during July heat

The National Health Service (NHS) has issued a July health advisory urging people across the United Kingdom to protect themselves from ultraviolet (UV) exposure. The guidance stresses that even on cloudy days UV rays can cause sunburn and increase skin‑cancer risk, and recommends staying in shade between 11 am and 3 pm – the period when the sun is strongest.

Key actions include using sunscreen with at least SPF 30, re‑applying frequently, covering skin with suitable clothing and sunglasses, and keeping babies under six months out of direct sunlight. The NHS also advises checking the UV index (a rating of 3 or higher) and taking extra precautions for children.

The message coincides with Met Office forecasts of highs around 27 °C in parts of England and Wales, prompting the NHS to emphasize that these precautions are necessary throughout the UK from March to October.