Practical Risk Considerations for the Total Solar Eclipse
On April 8, 2024, in the afternoon and early evening, part of Eastern Canada will experience a total solar eclipse. The impact of the total solar eclipse will vary by geographical location (Government of Canada, 2024).
The eclipse path of totality is expected to pass through several cities in Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. This may mean total darkness for a few minutes for areas in the eclipse path.
If you have any questions, please reach out to riskmanagement@hiroc.com.
Below you will find a number of practical risk considerations for patients, families and staff: 
Additional Resources
Hospital Communication Examples:
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. (2024, March 28). Coming to cheo during the solar eclipse: Safety tips for families. https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/news/coming-to-cheo-during-the-solar-eclipse-safety-tips-for-families.aspx#:~:text=Always%20use%20certified%20solar%20viewing,pinhole%20projector%20at%20all%20times
- Kingston Health Sciences Centre. (2024, March 25). Staying safe during the total solar eclipse. KHSC Kingston Health Sciences Centre. https://kingstonhsc.ca/news/staying-safe-during-total-solar-eclipseNorfolk General Hospital. (2024). Solar Eclipse Safety. Norfolk General. https://www.ngh.on.ca/solar-eclipse-safety/
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. (2024, March 25). Solar eclipses associated with increased traffic fatalities. Sunnybrook Research Institute. https://sunnybrook.ca/research/media/item.asp?c=2&i=3691&f=solar-eclipses-associated-with-increased-traffic-fatalities
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. (2024, March 28). Safety measures for solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Safety Measures for Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024. https://hollandbloorview.ca/stories-news-events/news/safety-measures-solar-eclipse-april-8-2024
General Sites With Information:
- Canadian Space Agency. (2024, March 6). Total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/eclipses/total-solar-eclipse.asp
- City of Toronto. (2024, February 13). Solar Eclipse Safety. https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/solar-eclipse-safety/
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Integrated Operations Division. (2023, October). Solar Eclipse Communications Planning and Resource Guide. Solar Eclipse Communications Planning Resource Guide. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/Solar-Eclipse-Communications-Planning-Resource-Guide-508c.pdf
- Government of Canada (2023) Your guide to solar eclipses. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/eclipses/solar-eclipses.asp
- Canadian Association of Optometrists. (2024, March 21). Solar Eclipse Safety. https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety