Town of Smiths Falls Reminds Residents of Solar Eclipse Safety

On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Moon’s orbit will position it directly between the Earth and the Sun, causing a solar eclipse. While other areas will experience a total eclipse (which will result in darkness in the daytime), this will not be the case in Smiths Falls. To view a Map of the path of totality, please visit the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit website.

Staring at the Sun without protection, may cause damage to your retina (the tissue at the back of your eye) called “solar retinopathy.” This damage can occur without any sensation of pain. The injury can be temporary or permanent. Symptoms can take 12 to 48 hours to appear and can include retinal burns, permanent or temporary visual loss, and blurred vision. Once symptoms begin, it’s usually too late to reverse any damage.

To avoid damaging your retinas when viewing the solar eclipse, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit suggest the following:

• Do not view the eclipse at all or use a proper method of blocking the sun’s dangerous rays while viewing.
• Use a filter that blocks all dangerous light. To do this, you must use ISO-certified eclipse glasses from a reputable vendor that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. The manufacturer’s name and address must be printed on the product.
• Do not use any viewer if it has scratched or wrinkled lenses.

Residents of Smiths Falls are asked to follow the safety guidelines provided by Emergency Management Ontario.

For further information on the upcoming eclipse, please visit:

Ottawa Public Health

Canadian Space Agency

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Media Contact

Joanne Plontz
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
77 Beckwith Street N, Box 695
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2B8
613-283-4124 ext. 1122
Communications@smithsfalls.ca