TOLEDO, Ohio — The total solar eclipse is just around the corner, and while by now you may know which cities will experience totality the longest, the science behind the event and even the odds of clear weather on April 8, there are multiple factors you may be considering when it comes to actually observing the eclipse. WTOL 11 has compiled a list of five must-know eclipse tips for you.
Tip 1: Fill up on gas and purchase groceries ahead of time.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency said past eclipses in other parts of the country give a good indication that increased traffic to the area means roadways will be more congested and lines at the grocery will be longer.
Lucas County's population is expected to double to 860,000 people in the days leading up to April 8, and people who are visiting from out of town to view the eclipse will also need to fill up their gas tanks and make grocery purchases.
To alleviate additional traffic congestion and ensure you have enough of what you need, Ohio Emergency Management specialist Anita Stechschulte said you should fill prescriptions and buy gas and groceries before Friday, April 5, after which visitors will begin to arrive. You may also want to consider rescheduling appointments and deliveries if they land on or around April 8.
Read more about Ohio EMA eclipse preparation recommendations here.
The photographs below from WTOL 11 sister-station KGW in Portland, Oregon, shows traffic congestion during the 2017 total solar eclipse:
Tip 2: Make sure you have safe solar eclipse viewing glasses
Sunglasses won't cut it when it comes to viewing the sun (and neither will most welding masks). Unless you have the proper viewing glasses, you risk serious and permanent eye damage. Fortunately, plenty of reputable institutions in northwest Ohio are providing solar eclipse viewing glasses, many of them free of charge.
To learn more about what makes a pair of glasses safe for use and where you can get a pair, click here.
Tip 3: Use a specialized solar filter to take pictures of the eclipse.
The last time northwest Ohio saw a total solar eclipse - 1806 - the only way it could be visually captured was with an artist's rendition. In the last 218 years, we've invented digital cameras and cell phones and almost certainly, many will want to remember the moment with a photograph. However, in order to keep your eyes and camera lens damage-free, you'll need some specialized filters.
Don't ever look at the sun through a camera, telescope or binoculars, even while wearing your eclipse glasses because the solar rays can melt the filter in the glasses and harm your eyes. It will not protect your eyes.
That is why it is important to have a special filter on your camera as well. Even if just a small portion of the sun is exposed, it can still be dangerous to your eyes and camera without the filter. Specialized solar filters can be purchased at the Imagination Station gift shop Science2GO! and other vendors as described by the American Astronomical Society.
To view the total solar eclipse with a camera, the camera lens must have a solar filter fixed to its front lens and you must wear ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses.
Tip 4: If your dog or other pet does not do well in crowds, leave them at home.
We all love our pets, but if you want to bring your pet to view the eclipse, be sure they're well-behaved and are okay with crowds. With large solar eclipse viewing parties planned across the area and crowds expected, your pet could become anxious if they aren't accustomed to it.
For your pet's safety and for the safety of other eclipse viewers, consider leaving your pet at home or finding a less crowded viewing area if your pet prefers to be around fewer people.
Tip 5: If you're an EMS volunteer or emergency responder, check with your employer about scheduling. If you have children, check if classes are canceled.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit northwest Ohio, some municipalities are trying to mitigate traffic congestion and ensure emergency responders are available by developing specific schedules.
The city of Findlay plans to reduce traffic by giving everyone who works for the city eight hours of paid time off. Those who work for departments that will be closed on April 8, will use the time for that day. Meanwhile, essential emergency departments like fire and police response will increase the number of people on duty on April 8.
If you work for a government agency or are involved in emergency response work, ask your employer what is expected of you on April 8 so you can plan ahead. Be sure to also check if your child has school scheduled for the date of the eclipse, as many districts have preemptively canceled classes.
General total solar eclipse information
Want to learn more about the total solar eclipse? View our YouTube playlist below, or click here for our full guide.