Safety tips for viewing solar eclipse

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo (KBSI) – Many people are looking forward to the total solar eclipse on April 8 in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

Shawnna Rhine from the Southern 7 Health Department in Illinois shares tips on how to safely view the upcoming total solar eclipse.

The eclipse can be viewed in our area between 1:56-2:01 p.m. on Monday April 8.

Rhine says to purchase eclipse glasses that are IOS certified showing that they do meet the standards in order to protect your vision.

If the lenses are scratched or damaged in any way, they need to be discarded because they are not safe to use.

By not using proper protective eye covering, the rays from the eclipse can cause serious eye damage including blindness.

Even short periods of time looking at the partial phases of the eclipse can cause damage to your eyes.

Regular sunglasses are not dark enough to block the rays from the sun.

Rhine says to make sure that children are aware of the potential hazards from viewing the eclipse and that if they are not mature enough to use the protective equipment properly, to consider keeping the indoors during the event.

If you are concerned that you have been exposed, especially if you are experiencing vision loss, call your doctor immediately.

Also consider wearing sunscreen as your skin may be exposed to the sun for a long period time.

Rhine says not to be concerned about your pets as they instinctively know not to look at the sun.

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