The Great American Solar Eclipse is a rare celestial event that captures the imagination of skywatchers across the nation. As the moon passes in front of the sun, turning day into twilight, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Here are crucial tips to ensure you enjoy this awe-inspiring phenomenon safely.

Planning

• When looking for areas to view the eclipse, be sure to stay away from electric equipment. This includes not parking near substations, utility poles, pad-mounted transformers, transmission rights-of-ways and all other electrical infrastructure.
• Revisit your emergency preparedness plan. Contact family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or have a medical condition.
• Pets may exhibit unusual behaviors. Veterinarians indicate the darkening of the skies during a total solar eclipse may signal to animals it’s time for bed. Horses and chickens may head into the barn or coop to rest. They recommend, when possible, leave dogs, cats and other indoor pets inside.
• Check your children’s school to see if they will be closed.
• Assemble or update your emergency kit.
• Fully charge your cell phone and fill up your gas tank.

On the Road

• Drivers should make sure they have a full tank or a fully charged electric vehicle before heading out in case they are stuck on the road for a while.
• Roads are expected to be congested. Expect heavy traffic and sudden stops by drivers. 
• Be on alert for distracted pedestrians looking to the sky.
• Keep your headlights on while driving, even in the daylight.
• Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
• Always keep your eyes on the road. Only view the eclipse once safely parked away from the flow of traffic.

Viewing

• Never look directly at the sun without appropriate eye protection. This can cause serious eye damage or blindness.
• Use solar filters or eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Make sure your solar filters or glasses are certified and are not scratched or damaged.
• Help children be sure they use handheld solar viewers – such as our DIY Pinhole Projector –  or eclipse glasses correctly.
• You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the moon completely obscures the sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
• You may be in direct sunlight for hours to watch the few minutes of the eclipse. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.