The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) warns that at least 80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs before the age of 18 and only manifests later in life.

Protect yourself and your loved ones by doing the following:

Plan outdoor activities before 10:00 or after 16:00. Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor that's best for your skin type and exposure time. Check which factor to use here. And, remember if you swim, sweat or towel off, you need to reapply.

Heat stroke can happen to you! Take precaution - wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing, protect against sunburn, drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous activity and never leave anyone in a parked car. Seek medical attention sooner rather than later when experiencing difficulty breathing, losing consciousness or nausea.

Spare a thought for your four-legged friend this season. Don't walk your dog during the day's highest heat and humidity, which is usually between 13:00 and 16:00. This is especially important for dogs with short snouts, who can't pant as efficiently in humid weather. Also apply a pet sunblock to the least-hair-covered spots.

Sources: active.com, cdc.gov, City of Cape Town, prevention.com, CANSA