have fun. And what could be better? Bright sunshine, blue skies, plenty of food and drink ... Hey, let's party! While many will flock to the two-day cricket game and all its side attractions, others will camp, picnic, spend time at the beach or go boating.

A few will catch up on household maintenance, painting and gardening.

Whatever the choice, the end result could well be painful sunburn because it's so easy to forget those damaging rays when enjoying the great outdoors.

The types of sunlight mainly responsible for sun damage are known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

UVB light turns skin red fairly quickly, causing sunburn, and it also causes changes in skin cells which can lead to skin cancer.

UVA light, long thought to be harmless "tanning rays,'' also contributes to the development of skin cancer. With enough exposure, UVA rays cause sunburn.

In addition, since UVA light penetrates to the dermis, or second layer of skin, it is mainly responsible for the ageing effects of sunbathing.

So let's look at ways to have a happy holiday and prevent painful sunburn.

First, try to stay out of the direct sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the rays are the strongest and can do the most damage.

Other ways to protect yourself include: Sunscreens: These are skin lotions with a built-in sun protection factor (SPF). Sun factors tell you how much longer you can stay in the sun before burning than you could if you were not using a sunscreen. For example, SP15 means you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without protection before burning.

A sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15 or more is recommended. It will filter out UVB light and at least some UVA light. Apply liberally before exposure to the sun, and re-apply often -- expecially after swimming or sweating. Take special care to protect nose, ear tips, and bald patches.

Clothing Wear lightweight, opaque clothing over exposed areas, and wide-brimmed straw hats to protect the face and head. For women, a one-piece bathing suit, with a higher cut neck, offers the best protection. If sitting a long time in the sun, don't forget to protect the feet and ankles.

Umbrellas, gazebos Any fabric which can be seen through does not offer full protection from the sun so don't rely on them just because they offer some shade.

Babies, children: Since research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) later in life, take very special care to protect young skins from the sun. Use plenty of sunscreen, and appropriate clothing when children are not in the water. If they do plan to stay in the water a long time, use plenty of sun screen, or insist they wear a T-shirt at least part of the time.

Be especially mindful of babies' skins, which are extremely tender. Keeping them in the shade isn't necessarily enough, particularly at the beach where reflected light from the sea and sand can easily burn. Always protect very young heads, particularly babies', with a sunhat.

Light sensitivity and medication: The combination of certain drugs and sunlight can decrease the time it takes to promote rashes, sunburn, premature skin aging, or more serious consequences such as cataracts, blood vessel damage, skin cancer, allergic reactions and reduced immunity.

Although the sun alone can cause all of these problems, certain drugs can also increase one's sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), raising the odds that these adverse reactions will occur.

Some medications which can cause photosensitivity are: Antihistamines, coal and tar derivatives (dandruff shampoos, for instance), oral contraceptives containing estrogens, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofin), phenothiazines (major tranquilisers and anti-nausea drugs), psoralens, sulfonamides ("sulfa'' drugs, for instance), sulfonylureas (oral anti-diabetics, hypoglycemics) thiazide diuretics ("water pills''), tetracyclines, and tricyclic anti-depressants.

If you are using any of these medications, check with your doctor about exposure to the sun.

Treating sunburn: If, despite all the precautions, you end up with sunburn, there are a number of soothing lotions available to temporarily ease the pain of a mild burn. Look for products containing benzocaine, lidocaine, camphor, phenol or menthol.

A lukewarm bath with bicarbonate of soda or vinegar in the water is cooling.

Gently pat skin dry with a soft towel and apply a soothing lotion.

After sunburn, avoid further direct exposure to the sun until the skin has healed.

( This article is based, in part, on information supplied by the US Food & Drug Administration.

BEWARE THE DANGERS -- Don't let the seductive warmth of the sun spoil your holiday fun. Whether you choose to relax by beaching, below, sailing, above, or enjoying Cup Match -- avoid painful sunburn with sunscreens, protective clothing and umbrellas.