Use your head – perch a hat on it!

The sun can damage unprotected face, ears, scalp and neck.

The cheapest and most effective protection is a hat, especially one with a 10 cm brim.

WHEN HAT HUNTING REMEMBER:

Choose one you like – you are much more likely to wear it.

Broad brims give the best protection, but you may prefer a baseball cap (if so use a sunscreen (SPF 15+) on your unprotected ears and neck).

A ‘legionnaire’ flap on your baseball hat provides excellent protection. You may be inventive and attach you own - especially for kids.

Hats with fabric you can see through let the sun through.

Choose a hat that fits both your head and your lifestyle. Hats that blow off quickly end up in the back of the car, similarly hats that interfere with play – whatever the sport, just won’t last the pace.

Hats protect your head from direct UV radiation, but remember that UV scatters and reflects off light surfaces like the beach. Always protect face, neck and ears with sunscreen (SPF 15+) and eyes with sunglasses.

HOLIDAY HAIRSTYLES Hair is a natural sunshade, cutting it short, adding spikes or twists can give the sun perfect access to the scalp.

Most of the body is unaffected by heat, but the brain and the nervous system can easily be damaged. Brain proteins are very heat-sensitive. If our brain temperature rises much above 40° C, "thermal stress" can cause heatstroke and even death.