Concerned about watching the eclipse safely? Public health unit offers these tips

Ahead of a historic total solar eclipse next month, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit explains how to take it all in without causing damage to your eyes.

April 8 will befirst time in decadesOntarians will get to see atotal solar eclipse, and parts of Essex County are in the path of totality:a sliver acrossNorth Americawhere people can observe the moon covering the sun completely.

That afternoon, theeclipse is supposed to start around 1:58 p.m. and end around 4:28. Totality when the moon fully blocks the sun is expectedbetween 3:12 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Without protection, viewing the eclipse mean seriouseye damage, includingincludingretinal burns, temporary or permanent vision loss and blurred vision, according to the health unit.

You won't actuallyfeel it happen there are no pain receptors in your retinas.

And it couldtake 12 to 48 hours for the signs to emerge, the health unit says.

"Unfortunately, once symptoms start, it is usually too late to reverse any resulting damage," the health unit says on its website.

Dos and don'ts

The health unit says there's steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are some of those tips.

Get Protection. Only viewthe eclipse with safe solar eclipse viewersor filtersthat meet international standard ISO 12312-2.

"Do not use sunglasses, camera lenses, smoked glass, homemade filters, photographic or x-ray film, or other items that are not specifically made for viewing eclipses," the health unit says.

"This includes devices used in combination with binoculars or a telescope to view a solar eclipse."

Put your glasses or viewer on before turning to look at the eclipse, andturn away before taking off your eye protection.

How to safely watch the total solar eclipse in Windsor-Essex

6 months ago

Duration 1:26

Tom Sobocan, public relations director for the Royal Astronomical Society's Windsor group, explains where and how to watch the eclipse on April 8.

Keep an eye on the kids.The health unit says their eyes let in more light and they are at higher risk if they look at the eclipse without proper gear.

Stay home. One way to ensure you don't harm your eyesis to watch a livestream of the eclipse.

Staying safe on the road. The health unit says not to drive wearing eclipse glasses, or look at the sun while driving during the eclipse. Car windows even tinted ones aren't enough to protect your eyes. The health recommends using the visor to obscure the sun.

Public health also says it's not a good idea to pull over to watch the eclipse, asthere could becongestion making it unsafe to get out of the car. As well, the eclipse might cause pedestrians to be distracted and not pay attention to traffic.

Don't look at all. The health unit says one sureway to stay safe is to avoid looking at the eclipse directly altogether.