Following a Status Yellow high temperature warning being issued by Met Éireann, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is reminding farmers and their families to protect their skin.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland with almost 13,000 cases diagnosed each year and this number is rising rapidly.

The HSE noted that, in most cases, it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.

The executive's Healthy Ireland SunSmart campaign aims to help people to build skin cancer awareness into their daily routine, especially between 11:00a.m-3:00p.m from April-September when the intensity of UV radiation from the sun is greatest

Met Éireann said that there will be “exceptionally warm weather” across the country on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (July 17-19).

Temperatures are set to range from 25-30° in general, with a possibility of the mercury hitting 32° in some areas during Monday. The solar UV index is expected to be high.

The HSE has advised farmers and their families to follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart '5 S’s' to protect their skin and avoid getting sunburned:

Dr. Blaithin Moriarty, consultant dermatologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin said:

"So if you’re planning on being out in the sun this summer we are encouraging everyone to take action to enjoy the sun safely by following the simple Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s," she said.

The HSE also advised people to be mindful of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be particularly dangerous for older people, young children and more vulnerable groups.