Finally! We feel as though summer is here. It’s been a long old stretch of waiting for it to happen, but at last the temperatures in Snowdonia are starting to rise and the sun is peeping (sometimes actually blazing) out from behind the clouds. Welcome to the Great Welsh Summer!

Of course, summer is a favourite season for lots of people for many reasons – being able to head out in shorts and t-shirts, going on holiday, enjoying a sunny beer garden, digging out the flip-flops from the back of the cupboard, feeling the warm sun on your face instead of shivering in the wind and rain, camping holidays, trips to the beach, ice creams, ice cold beers; the list is almost endless!

Image by Stanoscepa on freeimages.com

And although we love nothing better than a hot sunny day, it also pays to be sun safe too, even here in the UK. Here are our top tips for enjoying the sun and having a fab time too……

• Adults should always use a sunscreen factor of at least SPF 15, and children need one of 50+ because their skin is much more sensitive to sun damage.
• The sun is at it’s strongest between 11am and 3pm so be careful between these times.
• Apply sunscreen to your face and body 15 mins before heading outside if you can; it gives it time to work into the skin.
• As well as sunscreen, use a hat, glasses and loose clothing to protect yourself and your children.
• Never leave a child or a dog in a hot car. Temperatures can soar in parked cars, which can be fatal.
• Find a shady spot so that you can still enjoy the warmth but stay out of the sun.
• You sweat more in the sunshine so you lose more fluid. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

However, we do all need some exposure to the sunshine – the sun gives us Vitamin D which is essential to help our bodies absorb calcium from food for strong bones and teeth. So don’t be afraid to head out in the sunshine, just make sure you’re careful, and teach young children to have the same respect for the sun. Hello sunshine!