There has been a lot of publicity recently about the dangers of sunlight even in the UK. The skin cancer rate has risen by about eight per cent annually in recent years and increased exposure to sunlight has been implicated as one cause. Obviously the sun is much stronger in the Mediterranean and even more so in the tropics, and while no one wants to stop you enjoying the sun, you do need to take care (although some dermatologists would warn that any suntan is a sign of skin damage). Limit the amount of time you spend out in the sun, especially at first and around the middle of the day.

Choose coverup clothes and get everyone to wear a broad brimmed hat. This is particularly important if your skin is the type that burns easily and for babies and children. It appears that sunburn under age 2- 5 years may be an important risk factor for skin cancer later on. For people with brown or black skin the risk of sun induced skin cancer is minimal.

Choose a sunscreen which filters out both UVA and UVB rays. The sun protection factor (SPF) number on the packaging gives an indication of the time you should be able to spend in the sun without burning. If you could normally be out in the sun for 20 minutes without redness, then an SPF 6 should theoretically allow 6 x 20 minutes, that is, up to two hours. This assumes that the sunscreen is reapplied after swimming and regularly in the heat about every couple of hours. An SPF of at least 5 is recommended initially.

More recently, an additional star rating of one to four has been provided on the packaging to show protection against UVA rays which cause ageing of the skin and sometimes an allergic, itchy rash. Apply the sunscreen liberally remembering vulnerable areas such as the nose, shoulders, areas not often exposed to daylight and anywhere hair is thinning. The Australian campaign slogan of Slip, Slap, Slop sums up the essentials:

Getting sunburn early on in the holiday can spoil your enjoyment for days after, so it is worth taking care to expose your skin gradually, especially areas that are usually covered up and only exposed when wearing a swimming costume.

Overheating in hot climates can eventually cause sunstroke or heat stroke which could be fatal. It occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms cannot compete with overwhelming heat and consciousness is lost. It is important to prevent anyone from getting to that stage.

The body can adapt to hotter climates but it takes time and people vary in their speed of acclimatization. For everyone, avoidance of heat stress is the key. It is important to move slowly, staying out of direct sunlight where possible.

In sunshine, ideally the head and back of the neck should be covered and loose cotton clothes worn. Masses of mainly non-alcoholic drinks should be drunk to compensate for the sweating taking place (alcohol, strong tea and coffee cause dehydration). More sweating increases the requirement for salt, but eating normally will usually provide adequate quantities and salt tablets are not recommended.

Where exercising in the heat increases the salt requirement further, a little salt can be added to the food at the table, so long as adequate fluid is being taken to maintain pale urine. Dark urine is a sign of dehydration and the best remedy is drinking as much oral rehydration mixture as you comfortably can. Acclimatization gradually conserves some salt by allowing less to be lost in sweat but fluid intake must still be maintained.

People who are suffering from heat stress may feel faint and sick with a headache and the skin may feel clammy. Later as the sweating mechanism fails, the skin may become hot and dry. Once someone feels ill from the heat, they should stay in the shade or preferably in air conditioning, and drink plenty of nonalcoholic drinks even if they don't feel thirsty. Oral rehydration solution is ideal.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate cooling and medical attention are essential.