Due to climate change, warm weather is becoming more frequent and lasting longer in Utrecht, leading to increased sun exposure and a higher risk of skin cancer. Awareness of proper sun (and heat) protection is becoming increasingly important.

With more sun, the risk of burning and skin cancer also increases. To protect Utrecht residents, the municipality has placed free dispensers at various locations in the city. These are poles from which you can dispense free sunscreen.

Councilor Eelco Eerenberg (Public Health): “You can protect yourself by applying sunscreen properly. This is especially important for children, as sunburn at a young age significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.” 

Sunscreen Dispensers

Students from colleges and vocational schools will engage with residents in neighborhoods and at locations of the dispensers to raise awareness about the importance of sun protection. The municipality will also discuss with educational institutions how the topics of heat and health can be integrated into the curriculum. The dispensers will be available until the end of September. Additionally, a mobile sunscreen bike will be riding around the city this summer.

So far, 11 sunscreen dispensers have been placed in the city, of which 3 are facilitated by the municipality and the rest sponsored by other parties. The dispensers are located at the following places: 

• Wilhelminapark
• Julianapark
• Playground de Watertoren
• Neude
• Hockey Club Kampong
• Soia - Strand Oog In Al
• Griftpark 1
• Griftpark 2
• Haarrijnseplas
• The Bosspeeltuin, Máximapark
• Stadsboederij Gagelsteede

The municipality of Utrecht signed the Zonvenant in 2024 with the intention of contributing for at least 3 years to the prevention of skin cancer and raising awareness about the importance of sun protection.