Staying Safe in the Heat: Sun Protection and Health Advice as Hot Weather Hits Cork

Hot and humid weather is expected across Cork and the rest of the country this week, and the public is being urged to take care in the sun and the heat. From applying sunscreen and staying hydrated to recognising the signs of heat exhaustion, here is the key advice for staying safe.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow High Temperature warning for Ireland, valid from 12:00 on Tuesday 23 June 2026 until 09:00 on Friday 26 June 2026. In Cork, temperatures in the high twenties are expected during the warm spell, with thunderstorms possible later in the week.

Met Éireann:

"Exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland this week. Daytime temperatures will exceed 25 degrees, with temperatures possibly reaching 30 degrees on Thursday. Very mild, humid and possibly uncomfortable at night as temperatures will generally stay above 15 degrees. Thunderstorms are possible also, particularly on Thursday."

Sun protection should be a priority during the warm spell. The HSE's SunSmart advice is built around five simple steps, known as the 5 S's: slip, slop, slap, seek and slide. This means slipping on clothing that covers the skin, such as long sleeves and collared t-shirts; slopping on broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and water resistance, reapplied regularly; slapping on a wide-brimmed hat to protect the face, ears and neck; seeking shade; and sliding on wraparound sunglasses to protect the eyes. GAA

No sunscreen offers complete protection, so it should be used alongside covering up and spending time in the shade. In Ireland, UV rays are strong enough to damage skin from April to September, even on cloudy days, and are usually strongest between 11am and 3pm. The UV index is available on the Met Éireann website. Babies and young children should be kept out of direct sunlight, with a sunshade used on buggies and prams. GAA + 3

Staying hydrated is just as important. The HSE advises drinking plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising, taking cool baths or showers, wearing light coloured, loose clothing, and sprinkling water over the skin or clothes. It also advises avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm, avoiding excess alcohol, and avoiding extreme exercise.

It is worth knowing the signs of heat exhaustion. These include a headache, dizziness and confusion, loss of appetite and feeling sick, heat rash, excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin, cramps in the arms, legs and stomach, fast breathing or a fast pulse, a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above, and being very thirsty. A change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin, and while the symptoms are often the same in adults and children, children may become irritable and sleepy.

Anyone can be affected, but children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions such as heart problems or diabetes are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, remove any unnecessary clothing, and get them to drink plenty of water or a sports or rehydration drink. Cool their skin by spraying or sponging them with cool water and fanning them, with cold packs around the armpits or neck also helpful. Stay with them until they are better, and they should start to feel better within 30 minutes.

Heatstroke needs to be treated as an emergency. Call 112 or 999, or go to your nearest emergency department, if someone feels unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water, is not sweating even while feeling too hot, has a very high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or above, has fast breathing or shortness of breath, feels confused, has a fit (seizure), loses consciousness, or is not responsive. The HSE's full advice is available on its heat exhaustion and heatstroke page.

With more people likely to head to rivers, the sea and lakes during the warm weather, Met Éireann is also urging the public to take precautions from Water Safety Ireland.

Pets need extra care in the heat too. The ISPCA advises that it is better to avoid walking dogs during intense heat, with early morning or evening walks best when it is cooler. A good guide is that if a pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it is too hot for a dog's paws, as hot surfaces can burn paw pads.

Dogs should always have access to fresh, cool water and shade, and should never be left in a hot car, even for a short time, as this can be fatal. Older, overweight and flat-faced dogs are even less tolerant of the heat.

Met Éireann has advised people to check the met.ie website and app for updates to forecasts and warnings in the coming days.