A Celestial Event Like No Other Is On The Horizon

On April 8, 2024, portions of Ohio – including most of Northeast Ohio – will experience a total solar eclipse.

At around 3:13 p.m. that day, the moon will block the sun long enough to cast a twilight-like darkness over the land. Considered one of nature’s most amazing phenomena, hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to travel to our region to experience this potentially once-in-a-lifetime event.

Excitement has been building for years for this moment – and for good reason. But like any major event, be prepared so that the experience can be enjoyed safely.

Buy your protective eyewear now.

We can’t stress this enough: The sunglasses you have lying around will not cut it. Staring directly at the sun – even when it’s partially blocked by the moon – can cause serious and irreversible damage to your eyes and potentially lead to blindness. If you plan on watching the eclipse, you need to wear properly rated eye protection.

Look for specially made eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that comply with international safety standards for viewing the sun. To ensure they meet the standard, look for “ISO 12312-2” printed on somewhere on the glasses. If they do not say ISO 12312-2, they are not safe for viewing.
Once you have them, make sure there are no rips, tears, or holes in the lenses. If the glasses appear damaged, do not use them.
Purchase from a reputable seller and be wary of fraudulent sales. Learn more about viewing the solar eclipse safely here.

Make sure kids are safe.

Make sure your children understand the importance of never looking at the sun or the eclipse without properly rated safety glasses.

It’s easy for kids – especially the little ones – to get excited and look up without protection. Take the time to explain the importance of wearing safety glasses ahead of time and practice.
Monitor your child’s use of them during the eclipse. If a child can’t resist looking at the eclipse without protective eyewear, take them inside. The event isn’t worth the permanent eye damage.

Stay off the roads.

For many people, this will be their only real chance of witnessing a total solar eclipse in their lifetimes. That means communities across Ohio are preparing for a massive influx of visitors. Judging from total eclipses that have happened elsewhere, it’s possible highways may be clogged – even to the point of gridlock.

Help keep your community safe by making April 8 a “no drive” day for you and your family. By staying off the roads, you’ll help prevent traffic jams and make it easier for EMS, police, and fire departments to respond to emergencies.
If you have to drive, fill up your tank before you venture out to reduce your chances of being stranded in traffic.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, and try to drive early in the morning or later in the evening. Remember: The eclipse will be over at the start of the afternoon rush hour, so expect heavy traffic at this time.

Fill your prescriptions in advance.

Since you’ll be staying home to enjoy the eclipse – right? – you’ll want to make sure have everything you need. There’s no need to go to the grocery store and raid the shelves, but making sure you have enough food for the day will help ensure you don’t take any unnecessary trips out for a meal.

Just as important is making sure you have enough of your prescription medication for the day. Check your medication now to ensure you’ll have enough to get you beyond April 8.
If you think you may run short, call your primary care provider or our pharmacy to ask for a refill. With 11 convenient locations and guaranteed low prices, our pharmacies can help manage your prescriptions with fast and friendly service. Learn more about our pharmacies here.