The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution on the roads this weekend as Met Eireann has issued Status Yellow weather warnings for high temperatures Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 11-13).

There are Status Yellow warnings for Carlow, Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Westmeath from 12:00p.m. on Friday to 6:00a.m Saturday.

A similar warning will come into place for the whole of Ireland from 12:00p.m on Saturday to 6:00a.m on Sunday.

Temperatures could be in excess of 27°C. Potential impacts are water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches, forest fires a possibility, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress.

In high temperatures, the RSA is advising road users, particularly drivers, to be aware of the dangers posed by sun glare.

This can result in drivers being temporarily dazzled or blinded by the intensity and brightness of the sun.

With clear sunny conditions and high temperatures forecast over the next number of days, the RSA is advising drivers to:

Reduce the risk from sun glare by wearing sunglasses. Be aware of the dangers of sun glare when travelling east in the mornings and west later in the day;
Be prepared and ensure you have adequate supplies of water. Any delays to journeys could result in road users being stuck in traffic for a period of time in hot conditions. Children and pets are particularly at risk during these hot spells of weather;
Ensure your windscreen is clear of grease or grime inside and out. Make sure you have plenty of window washer fluid to clear flies/insects and excess dust from the road when driving;
Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. Slow down and allow extra space when passing.

Pedestrians, people who cycle and motorcyclists are advised to beware of the dangers that sun glare can cause, especially when crossing the road and at junctions.

The advice is to follow current health messaging around the use of sun block when out walking and cycling.

Summertime is the most dangerous time of the year on our roads according to the RSA. In the summer, when there are no obvious dangers, and the weather is fine and days are brighter, road users tend to drop their guard.

There can be a spike in pedestrian, people who cycle and motorcyclist casualties over the summer months as the fine weather brings more people on to the roads, the authority added.

Drivers need to be on the lookout for them, slow down and expect the unexpected.

Meanwhile, health services such as the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union has also issued warnings and advice ahead of the high temperatures.

With sunny weather forecast for this weekend, many of us will be spending more time outdoors.

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), in collaboration with Healthy Ireland and cross-sectoral partners, is reminding everyone to protect themselves from the damaging effects of exposure to UV radiation from the sun, and to ensure SunSmart is part of your daily routine.

Most people living in Ireland have fair skin which burns easily and tans poorly, so are at high risk of UV damage and skin cancer, according to the NCCP.

With over 11,000 cases each year, skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland.

Enjoying the sun safely means understanding the UV Index, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade during the middle of the day and using sunscreen on exposed skin, the NCCP stated.

The UV index is a good indicator of when the sun is most dangerous. It measures the strength of the sun’s UV rays so that you know how and when to protect your skin when outdoors.

When the UV index is three or above, you need to protect your skin and eyes and follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s.

Meteorologist at Met Éireann, Linda Hughes said: “With temperatures set to be in the mid-20’s and the UV index high over the weekend it is important to protect your skin and eyes by following the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s.

"The higher the UV index, the higher the risk of skin and eye damage. Be prepared and plan ahead by checking the UV forecast on Met Éireann’s website."

Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5Ss:

Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through;
Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and is water-resistant. Reapply regularly. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection, it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade;
Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: Protect your face, ears and neck;
Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11:00a.m and 3:00p.m. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight;
Slide on sunglasses: Guard your eyes against harm by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.

As temperatures are expected to reach as high as 29°C in some areas, pharmacists are advising the public to become aware of how to stay safe in the sun.

For parents, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has said that is important to be sun smart and protect children’s skin when they are outside enjoying the fine weather, as children’s skin is very sensitive to the sun’s rays.

IPU head of professional services, Susan O’Dwyer said: “It is important that the public knows how to enjoy the sun safely following common sense precautions, especially during good weather.

Pharmacists are reminding the public to stay hydrated, and not to deliberately try to get a tan and avoid getting sunburnt.

They advise to take extra precautions if you are an outdoor worker. e.g., working outdoors is an everyday part of farming life which means farmers can be exposed to 2-3 times more UV rays from the sun compared with people who work indoors, putting them at a higher risk of skin cancer.

Farmers should pay particular attention to areas of the skin which are exposed to sunlight whatever the weather, by using a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen to protect ears, face, and neck.