Solar Eclipse Safety Tips from Public Health Nurse Melissa Lowry
Posted on: April 3, 2024 - 11:34am
A solar eclipse will occur across the United States on Monday, April 8, 2024, and will be visible in Massachusetts between 2 and 4:30 p.m. The City’s Public Health Nurse, Melissa Lowry, RN, has curated a list of top safety steps for viewing a solar eclipse.
What is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun and preventing sunlight from reaching us.
Melissa’s Tips for Safely Viewing a Solar Eclipse
- Sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide protection when directly looking at the sun during an eclipse. Use approved glasses with a special-purpose solar filter. Keep them on while viewing the eclipse and look away before removing them.
- Do not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device when wearing eclipse glasses.
- Wear sunscreen with a high SPF and broad-spectrum protection.
- Wear a hat that covers your head, face, ears, and neck. A wide-brimmed hat can also shield your eyes from the sun.
- Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Melissa’s Tips for Driving Safely During a Solar Eclipse
- Watch for distracted drivers and pedestrians.
- Be careful not to view the eclipse inadvertently. Put the sun visor down to block your view of the sun.
- Ensure that vehicle headlights are on.
- Do not drive with eclipse glasses on.
- Pull over to photograph the eclipse: don’t attempt to do so while driving.
- Be prepared for frequent stops: traffic may be problematic if people stop on the road to view the eclipse.
Melissa’s Other concerns
- There may be temporary power issues, especially for areas dependent on solar power.
For more tips from the State of Massachusetts, visit www.mass.gov/doc/how-to-safely-view-the-april-8-2024-total-solar-eclipse/download.