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Total Eclipse of the Home- Direction Home Building Closed but Fully Operational on 4/8/2024

 

Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities' office building will be CLOSED to the public on Monday, April 8th, 2024 and will reopen at 8am on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024. Staff will be working remotely and you can still contact the Agency from 8am-5pm on Monday, April 8th.  We will still be available to assist callers on eclipse day. 

Please note that there is a chance that you may experience poor Internet/cell service during this time. 

 

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is warning Ohio residents to be prepared as they believe some of our service areas will be flooded with visitors. Please read below for preparedness and safety recommendations, as well as information about this once-in-a-lifetime event!

 

Solar Eclipse Safety & Preparedness

From Ohio Emergency Management Agency

With the exception of the very brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun unless you are using eye protection specifically for solar viewing.

Do not view any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the secured over the front of the instrument as this will instantly cause severe eye injury.

Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. They transmit thousands of times too much sunlight and could damage the eyes.

How to view the eclipse safely

Being prepared is easy if you have a plan. Two top considerations are: PACK YOUR PATIENCE AND FILL YOUR TANK!

  • Schedule important activities a few days before or after the eclipse to give yourself time.
  • Know when it's appropriate to call 911, if not a true emergency then use local non-emergency numbers for law enforcement.
  • Ensure you have adequate prescription/gasoline/food and hygiene items/oxygen supplies before the eclipse (April 4th or sooner).
  • Establish a back-up plan for routine services like personal care, homemaking, home-delivered meals.
  • Consider increased traffic and possible traffic jams, low supplies at stores and gas stations, limited cell phone service and network use, travelers stopped on roadways. 

Will you be out and about during the eclipse? Plan and prepare for this incredible experiences. Ensure everyone has their specific needs accounted for in the planning process, for example:

  • Plan for and pack your vehicle with the needs of everyone travelling with you. Update your vehicle’s emergency kit. Understand that your travel home may be impacted by heavy traffic or a detour to another great destination (museum, park…). Plan ahead with extra medication, batteries, blankets, change of clothing, chargers, snacks and water. Plan for the need of young children and pets.  If a member has special medical needs be sure to account for that in the planning efforts.

  • Have a family communication plan when attending any large gathering, to ensure you know where to meet up if you get separated from friends or family. Make sure children have identification with your contact number with them in case you are separated.

  • Know where to receive emergency alerts and notifications while traveling.

  • Pre-plan your route. Know your destination in advance and where you plan to safely park. Do not pull off the side of a roadway to view the eclipse. Do not park on privately owned land unless arrangements have been made with the owner of the property.  Paper travel maps are a great item to have.

  • Monitor the weather forecast prior to traveling. Download the FEMA App (available in English and Spanish) to receive weather alerts for areas you’ll be visiting.

  • Bring plenty of sunscreen, mosquito repellant, rain gear; Keep in mind this will be early April in Ohio and the weather may change quickly.

  • Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Plan for your children and pets during your trip.

  • Make sure children have identification with them in the event of separation.

  • Understand cell service may have disruptions due to high volumes of usage.

Visit www.ready.gov for more safety tips, and for help creating a family communication plan.  For more on how to view the eclipse safely, see www.nasa.gov.

 

More about the Eclipse

From Ohio Emergency Management Agency

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

On this date, people within a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse. This will be an exciting celestial event and we want Ohioans and our visitors to enjoy the day safely.

Areas in Ohio that are outside the path of totality will experience a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse is a rare and spectacular event. On average, one happens somewhere on the Earth only once every 1.5 years. Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the entire existence of the United States.

The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon casts its shadow on the Earth as it passes between the Earth and the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the Sun.

Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. It's never safe to look directly at the sun's rays, even if the sun is partially obscured. The only safe way to look directly at a partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. Be sure you're familiar with solar eclipse safety tips.

Learn More about this exciting event!