The reason behind the special flag on Timmendorfer Strand

September 2, 2024, 3:41 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

For a few weeks now, a black flag with a rainbow-colored wreath has caught people’s attention at Timmendorfer Strand. Quite a few vacationers are puzzled over its meaning. TRAVELBOOK explains what the flag is all about.

The flag with a wreath on a black background has been puzzling vacationers at the Niendorf pier in Timmendorfer Strand. This has been happening for a few weeks now. As unspectacular as the flag may look to many at first glance, it is flying there for a serious reason. Because if the so-called “Sun Safety Flag” flies, beach guests are warned of possible increased UV radiation. They are also informed of the associated risk of skin cancer.

A UV index display on the flagpole shows beach guests how dangerous the sun is for their skin on any given day and how they can behave and protect themselves accordingly. If the scale is green, no special protection is required. If it is red, you should definitely move into the shade, writes German Cancer Aid on its website. In cooperation with the Working Group for Dermatological Prevention (ADP) as well as other organizations, it has only recently established the UV warning system.

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Information on the current UV index

Under the motto “Watch out at the Beach”, the flag warning system was introduced at Timmendorfer Strand. This first happened at the end of July. Flags and additional UV index displays, including the four tourist information points, inform bathers at Timmendorfer Strand daily about the current UV index as well as the correct sun protection.

“When it starts to burn, itch and the skin slowly reddens, the UV radiation has already caused considerable damage. This increases the risk of skin cancer,” explains Prof. Dr. Eckhard Breitbart, dermatologist and Chairman of the Working Group for Dermatological Prevention (ADP). “We want to prevent this and clearly point out the dangers of UV radiation,” he continues.

The German original of this article was published in 2022.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.