To view a solar eclipse safely, certain precautions — e.g., the use of solar eclipse glasses — must be taken., but only those within the 115-mile-wide path of totality will witness the sun's face completely blocked by the moon's shadow for up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds.
There are some safety issues to be aware of at other times, too. Here are six tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable viewing of the solar eclipse. Solar eclipse glasses are plentiful and inexpensive. Buy them before stocks run low, and get them only from this list of verifiedon the American Astronomical Society's AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force website.
If you decide to watch the eclipse from a city sidewalk — perhaps even during a lunch break at work — then watch out. Wandering into roads and other dangerous situations is easier than you might think when you're looking through solar eclipse glasses. The best, easiest and safest eclipse-observing site is an open space or park, which will likely have a much better view of the eclipse than city streets, where buildings could easily block the view.