Our Opinion: When planning for the eclipse, don't forget safety

News Tribune Editorial

Nearly every law enforcement, public safety and governmental agency is gearing up in different ways for the Aug. 21 solar eclipse.

How will you prepare for the rare phenomenon? Some people are assembling their camera gear, while others are reading fictional accounts of total solar eclipses (Stephen King has two books about them). Others are already picking out their spots, even driving great distances.

Fortunately, as residents of the Mid-Missouri, we don't need even to get in our cars. We already have a front-row seat, if you can call 93 million miles away a front seat.

Everyone has different plans for the once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. We would like to add one important planning item to your to-do list: safety.

NASA offers these safety tips:

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as "eclipse glasses" or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, are not safe. To date, four manufacturers have certified their eclipse glasses and hand-held solar viewers meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical and TSE 17.

Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Always supervise children using solar filters.

Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter - do not remove it while looking at the sun.

Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer.

Remove your solar filter only when the moon completely covers the sun's bright face and it suddenly gets quite dark. Experience totality, then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to glance at the remaining partial phases.

Following these common-sense safety procedures will ensure you and your loved ones will avoid eye damage and likely have fold memories of this rare celestial show for years to come.