As the Tennessee Valley gears up for the solar eclipse on Monday, it’s important to stay safe amid all the excitement. If you are planning to view the eclipse from TVA public lands, keep the following safety points in mind.
Expect traffic jams. The Valley is expecting thousands of tourists, so roads will be crowded. Plan to get to your viewing location a few hours in advance. This will ensure you are not in a rush.
Follow parking signs. Parking is strictly enforced at TVA public lands. Never park on the dam to watch the eclipse. Only park in designated areas.
Don’t cross safety barriers. Do not cross safety barriers, locked gates or areas posted “no trespassing.” It is for your safety that these areas are closed to the public.
Hydrate, wear your SPF and dress accordingly. Heatstroke and sun exposure are always risks during the summer months in the Tennessee Valley. Make sure you dress for the weather and have drink of water. Many TVA public lands have picnic areas available on a first come, first served basis.
Take care of your eyes. According to NASA, the only safe way to look directly at the sun (uneclipsed or partially eclipsed) is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Read more from NASA here.
Dispose of waste properly. We are all responsible for keeping our public lands clean. For your convenience additional trash receptacles are being placed at many locations. We encourage you to use the trash cans to help keep our public lands neat and clean.
Share your experience. Share your eclipse photos with us on TVA social media channels. Tag your Twitter and Instagram photos with #TVAFun and your Facebook images with @TVA.