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Police, fire departments share safety tips for today’s total solar eclipse

By WHIO Staff
On April 8, many will be in the path of the solar eclipse that is expected to happen. Humans use special glasses to be able to it but many wonder how it may affect animals or plants.
Police, fire departments share safety tips for today’s total solar eclipse FILE PHOTO (Allexxandar/Getty Images)
By WHIO Staff

DAYTON — Many people will be gathering across the Miami Valley for today’s total solar eclipse.

>>TOTAL ECLIPSE 2024

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Several police and fire departments are issuing reminders on social media that people should be aware of today.

Dayton Police & Fire posted this on its Facebook page:

  • Do not wear regular sunglasses or view the sun with the naked eye.
  • Use eclipse glasses/solar viewers that comply with the ISO 12313-3 international standard.
  • Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer.
  • Not following best safety practices for eclipse viewing can cause eye injury/damage.

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Huber Heights Police said they are anticipating heavy traffic in the area for today’s solar eclipse.

They offered these tips on social media:

  • If you are planning to view the eclipse from a location other than your own backyard, plan to leave early. It is likely that traffic will begin building in volume by late morning, and could be slowed considerably by Noon.
  • If you’re heading elsewhere to watch the eclipse, make sure your gas tank is full. If traffic is backed up, getting in and out of a gas station could be a very long ordeal.
  • Expect issues with your cell phone. As the volume of cell phone users increases in an area, the cell tower’s efficiency will decrease.

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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office also provided safety tips on social media.

  • Pack your patience and fill your gas tank.
  • Pre-plan your route.
  • Do not rely on cell signal or GPS as towers may experience disruptions due to high volumes of usage.
  • Do not pull off the side of the roadway and do not park on privately owned land, including empty lots or farm fields.
  • DO NOT call 911 unless it is a life threatening emergency.
  • Keep a preparedness kit in a the car that includes a paper map, jumper cables, flares, or reflective triangle, car cell phone charger, a blanket, etc.

News Center 7 is your Eclipse station. Join our coverage beginning Monday with News Center 7′s Daybreak at 4:25 a.m. and our special coverage beginning at 2 p.m.

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