The 2024 solar eclipse is less than a month away and many people have plans to travel to their viewing location. A lot of those people will be on the road the day of the event.

New York state has put together some health and safety recommendations to ensure everyone makes it to their destination and back home again.

Here is a look at some of the information being provided by I Love N.Y.:

Be Prepared While on the Road

• Traffic volume is expected to be very high on the day of the eclipse. Plan on staying in one place for the day. If you must be out, allow for plenty of extra travel time.
• Consider using 511NY for current travel conditions. Streets or bridges may be closed and depending on your location you may run into extensive traffic jams. 511NY apps can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices.
• Prepare by bringing water, fuel, medications, and food in your vehicle.
• Do not stop to view the eclipse along the roadway, especially interstates, parkways, and freeways. Choose a safe viewing destination off the road and arrive early to ensure you are ready for the big show!

Keep Your Eyes Protected

• Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse (except during the limited time of totality when the sun is completely covered by the moon—and even then, with caution).
• Sunglasses will NOT protect your eyes.
• If your eyes are exposed to the sun without the appropriate protection, it can cause “eclipse blindness,” which can temporarily or permanently damage your eyes.
• One of the best ways to view a solar eclipse is through a pinhole projector where you look at a projected image made through a pinhole in cardboard paper. Or even easier, grab a colander from the kitchen (not the mesh kind, the one with holes in plastic or metal)!
• Another way to view a solar eclipse without harming your eyes is by using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a trusted source. Further information about safe viewing, including a list of eclipse glasses suppliers, can be found on the American Astronomical Society website.

You May Need Boots and a Jacket

• Springtime weather can be cold, snowy, or have significant rainfall.
• Be prepared with the appropriate clothing/footwear--such as jackets and boots.
• Have alternate plans should the weather present hazards.
• If heading out on the trail to see the eclipse, check trail conditions: the Adirondacks can have snow, icy, and muddy conditions depending on elevation. And carry enough safety gear by checking out the Hike Smart and Winter Hike Smart tips. 

For the full list of safety recommendations from I Love N.Y., click here. For general eclipse information, such as maps and times, as well as eclipse viewing locations, click here.

The 2024 solar eclipse will cross upstate New York on April 8. Totality will take place at 3:20 p.m. when the sun will be completely blocked by the moon. That will last for 3 minutes and 38 seconds.