With Ireland now officially in the grips of a heatwave, the HSE is appealing to people to take precautions over the coming days, especially when it comes to children and older people.

Met Éireann has warned that temperatures may hit the early 30s in some places, with overnight temperatures of 15 degrees Celcius.

"These temperatures can have a significant effect on people's health if they last for at least two days and the night in between. During a hot spell, those with heart, respiratory and serious health problems are more at risk of potentially adverse effects of very warm weather, while babies and young children are also especially at risk," the HSE said.

It warned that while the heat can affect anyone, those most at risk include people over the age of 75, babies and young children, people with serious chronic conditions or mental health problems, people with mobility problems and those who are physically active, such as manual workers.

The HSE is advising people to stay out of the heat between 11am and 3pm if possible. If you have to be out, try to stay in the shade and make sure you apply sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection.

Try to avoid physical exertion, such as gardening or sport, or keep these for the cooler parts of the day, such as the early morning or the evening.

The HSE is also advising people to:
-Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes and a hat to shade your face, neck and ears
-Wear wrap around sun glasses with UV protection
-Wear sunscreen (at least 30 with a 4 or 5 Star UVA rating) on any areas that cannot be covered by clothing and a hat
-Young children, especially babies, and the elderly are more susceptible to sun damage so be extra careful with them
-Drink plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
-Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit which have a high water content
-Take a cool shower, bath or body wash
-Sprinkle water over your skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.

The HSE is also advising people to try to keep their environments cool. There are a number of things that can be done such as turning off non-essential lights and electrical equipment as these generate heat, keeping bowls of water in the home as evaporation helps cool the air, and closing curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun.

People are also being urged to look out for others, such as older people living on their own. Elderly or sick neighbours, friends and family should be checked on regularly during the heatwave.

Meanwhile, the HSE is also reminding people that many prescription medicines can reduce your tolerance of heat, so take extra care to keep cool.

"Danger symptoms to watch out for in hot weather include feeling faint and dizzy, shortness of breath, vomiting or increasing confusion. Take immediate action if danger symptoms of heatstroke are present - cool down as quickly as possible. However do not take aspirin or paracetamol as these can make you worse. Do however carry on taking all other prescribed medicines. Seek further advice from a doctor, or ring 999 if a person has collapsed," it said.

The general advice if you or someone else is feeling unwell is:
-Try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache. Move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature
-Drink some water or fruit juice to rehydrate
-Rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular cramps, particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen
-Drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes
-Seek medical attention as needed if heat cramps last more than one hour
-Consult your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist.

The HSE is also reminding people that heatstroke can develop very quickly and lead to unconsciousness and even death. If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately. While waiting for the ambulance, if possible, move the person somewhere cooler and/or increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.

Loosen the person's clothes, sprinkle them with water or cover in a damp sheet and if they are conscious, give them water. Do not give them aspirin or paracetamol.

Meanwhile people are also being reminded of the importance of protecting themselves against skin cancer.

According to consultant dermatologist at St James's Hospital, Dr Patrick Ormond, over 75% of the Irish population has ‘Celtic skin type', which means they freckle and burn easily.

"We tan with difficulty, or not at all, and we carry the highest risk of getting skin cancer. People with a fair complexion need to be extra careful in the sun. We can protect our skin by covering up (hat, sunglasses, long sleeved clothing), seeking shade and using a ‘broad spectrum' sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30.

"There's not much you can do about your skin type or genetics, but there are two things you can do to protect your skin for the future and reduce the risk of skin cancer - no sun burning and no sunbathing. Protect yourself from unnecessary sun exposure today, and your skin will thank you for the rest of your life," Dr Ormond said.

For more information on heat exhaustion and heatstroke, click here

To keep an eye on the weather forecast, click here