(WBAP/KLIF) – North Texans are securing their solar eclipse glasses before a total eclipse of the sun is visible on Monday.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas was given 300 pair of solar eclipse glasses for the viewing, allowing hundreds of kids to safely experience the event. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks any part of the sun. Monday’s solar eclipse will be visible across North America, with anyone within a roughly 70-mile-wide path from Oregon to South Carolina experiencing a brief total eclipse. United Healthcare is donating 10,000 solar eclipse glasses to nearly a dozen Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide.
The McKinney Fire Department along with the U.S. Fire Administration encourages residents to beware of fake solar eclipse glasses being sold at many retailers. Millions of Americans have already purchased eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers for assumed safe viewing. Officials say some of these people may be at risk from counterfeit glasses and viewers sold by disreputable vendors trying to cash in on this rare event. Watching the eclipse with fake protective gear or homemade versions can cause permanent eye damage.
“Only glasses and viewers verified by an accredited testing laboratory to meet ISO 12313-2 are safe to use when viewing the eclipse,” said Fire Marshal Michael Smith. “This standard requires glasses and viewer to be thousands of times darker than typical sunglasses.”
Smith said it may be hard to tell the difference between genuine protective gear and fake glasses as some counterfeit makers are placing ISO labels on them. NASA recommends eclipse watchers refer to the American Astronomical Society website for a list of reputable vendors selling solar glasses and viewers.
“Residents can experience the eclipse safely, but it’s vital they protect their eyes at all times with the proper solar glasses and viewers,” said Smith.
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