5 Safety Tips for the 2024 Solar Eclipse

April 4, 2024April 4, 2024 / portagecsc

Witnessing a solar eclipse can be an incredible experience, but it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Here are five safety tips for the 2024 solar eclipse:

Use certified solar viewing glasses: Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, even during an eclipse. Purchase ISO-certified solar viewing glasses from reputable vendors to protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient for viewing the sun.
Avoid looking at the sun through unfiltered cameras or telescopes: Using cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without proper solar filters can cause serious eye damage or blindness. If you want to capture the eclipse, make sure to attach a solar filter to your camera lens or telescope.
Beware of traffic and crowds: Solar eclipses often attract large crowds of spectators, leading to traffic congestion and crowded viewing areas. Plan your travel and arrival time accordingly to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams or overwhelmed by crowds. Consider arriving at your chosen viewing location early to secure a good spot and minimize stress.
Plan ahead, arrive early, and top-off your fuel tank: Expect large crowds and potential traffic congestion at popular viewing locations. Plan your travel route in advance, and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. Consider alternative viewing locations away from major cities to avoid overcrowding. Top-off your fuel tank just in case you get stuck in traffic.
Have a communication plan: Establish a communication plan with loved ones in case there are cell phone service disruptions, etc. Ensure everyone knows how to reach each other and where to meet up if necessary. Keep your cell phone charged and consider bringing a portable charger to stay connected throughout the day.

By following these safety tips, you can make the most of your experience witnessing the 2024 solar eclipse while prioritizing your well-being and the well-being of those around you.

Holiday Safety Tips: November 2019 Safety & Hygiene Corner

October 30, 2019 / portagecsc

Question: What are some safety concerns that I should be aware of during the holidays at home and at work?

Answer: There are many factors to consider keep you safe during the holidays. These can apply to work and home. Below are a few to get you started:

Inspect electrical cords and decorations for damage before use.
Check electric decorations for a certification label. Decorations without a label have not been tested for safety and could be hazardous.
Do not overload electrical outlets. Overloading outlets with high wattage appliances are a major cause of holiday fires.
Protect cords from damage. Cords should never be pinched by furniture, doors, windows or attached by nails or staples.
Follow the package directions on the number of lights sets that can be plugged into one socket.
Turn off, unplug, and extinguish all decorations when leaving the house unattended or going to sleep.
If using a natural Christmas tree, water it frequently to keep it fresh and safe. If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
Keep decorations at least three feet away from heat sources – especially those will an open flame, like fireplaces and candles.
Ensure all smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in good working condition.
Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency preparedness kit with you.

You can even go a step further and as part of a holiday gift, provide smoke detectors, first aid kits, fire extinguishers or emergency car kits as a token of appreciation.

*Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.