People urged not to leave their house without one item

People in England are being asked to take precautions when leaving home for the next seven months, including keeping a certain item with them when out and about. Although it is lightoften cloudy weather in early spring and autumn, Experts claim the conditions may still be strong enough to cause damage.

Experts from Cancer Research UK and the British Association of Dermatologists recommend people take sun protection measures between March and October, applying sunscreen and keeping a bottle with them so you can reapply if necessary. These are the months when the UV Index can rise to three and above, meaning people need to take precautions to protect themselves before harmful effects occur.

UV Index measures the intensity of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It ranges from a score of one to an ‘extreme’ score of 11; higher scores generally mean a greater need for skin and eye protection.

Which Expert? He explained: “Temperatures may still be relatively cool so you may not feel the marks on your skin, but with the UV Index already recording three or four readings into spring, the Met Office says you should be encouraged to seek shade at midday, cover up and wear sunscreen.

“There is also a biological and atmospheric reason for April being surprisingly ‘burnt’. UK Health Security AgencyOccasional ‘low ozone’ events in the northern hemisphere spring can allow more UVB to pass through than normal at this time of year.

“Since ozone filters out most of the burning UVB, these events can mean that on a clear day in April your skin may receive more burning UV than you expect, sometimes rivaling what you might receive on a hazy summer day.” While clouds block some UV, More than 90% can still pass through light clouds and causes sunburn.

Light or thin clouds can even increase UV levels through a process called scattering. In the UK, when scores of three or higher occur, people are generally advised to take some precautions.

The NHS also backs this ‘March to October’ advice, claiming people should be extra careful between 11am and 3pm. A spokesman for the service claimed Brits needed to “strike a balance” between protecting themselves from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.

They added: “Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn doesn’t just happen on holiday. You can burn even if it’s cloudy in the UK.”

What are the best precautions to take?

One of the most common ways to reduce sun damage is to apply sunscreen. But people shouldn’t assume that an old bottle from last summer is still safe.

Which? wrote: “Sunscreen usually lasts a year or two after opening, so check the icon of a round container with an open lid, which you’ll find on the back of the bottle, to see which time period applies. Replace with a newer bottle if necessary, as there’s no guarantee the active ingredients will still work optimally even if they’re past their best.”

Make sure sunscreen is applied to all sun-exposed areas; The most important burn points are the nose, ears, neck, shoulders and scalp. Areas that don’t usually get much sun, such as the soles of your feet or the back of your knees, are also vulnerable.

The NHS added on its website that people should never rely solely on sunscreen when trying to protect their skin from the sun. A spokesman said: “Don’t rely solely on sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Wear appropriate clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun is hottest.”