Get your hat and scarf — HSE issues sun safety guide

With the country now more than a week into this bout of balmy weather, the HSE and the Department of Health have issued advice on how best to safely enjoy the soaring temperatures.

Admitting that much of this advice is “mostly a matter of common sense”, the HSE assistant national director for health protection, Dr Kevin Kelleher and the department’s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said that deaths of older people can rise by up to 60% during a heatwave.

Babies and young children are also at risk as are drug users, people with serious mental health problems, and anyone physically active in the heat such as manual workers or athletes.