AG James urges New Yorkers to ensure their solar eclipse glasses are properly certified

Encourages consumers to report anyone selling fake glasses 

√ Says anyone experiencing issues with last-minute hotel cancellations should file complaint with OAG

New York State Office of the Attorney General Press Release

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert ahead of the total solar eclipse, urging New Yorkers to ensure any solar viewing glasses they purchase are properly certified.

Large parts of New York state, including Western New York, the Finger Lakes and Central New York, will be within the total eclipse path on April 8, and other regions, including the Hudson Valley and the New York City metro area, will experience a partial solar eclipse.

Legitimate solar eclipse glasses should have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification on the frame.

It is important for everyone viewing the eclipse to wear protective solar viewing glasses for their safety.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has received complaints of last-minute cancellations by hotels for reservations made months prior. James encourages anyone experiencing similar last-minute hotel cancellations to contact her office.

“On April 8, millions of New Yorkers and visitors will have the opportunity to view a magnificent solar eclipse, and they should do so safely by using properly certified glasses,” she said. “There are serious risks associated with not using proper eyewear when looking directly at an eclipse, which is why everyone should follow guidance to ensure their solar eclipse glasses are legitimate and safe to use. Some areas of New York will see an influx of visitors, and I encourage any consumer who has experienced a last-minute hotel cancellation, price gouging, or any other service disruption to contact my office."

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recommends that anyone viewing the eclipse use certified solar viewing glasses because of the powerful energy emitted by the sun. Only legitimate solar eclipse glasses have special-purpose filters to protect your eyes.

James urges New Yorkers planning to view the solar eclipse to take the following steps to ensure the solar eclipse glasses they are using are legitimate to protect themselves: 

√ Make sure the solar eclipse glasses you purchase are registered as a “Solar Viewer Brand” with the American Astronomical Society.

√ Test the solar eclipse glasses ahead of time. The American Astronomical Society says that, when wearing legitimate solar eclipse glasses indoors, objects should be hardly visible, and when worn outdoors, objects except the sun’s reflection on shiny surfaces should still be hard to see. 

√ Be sure your glasses are marked with the international safety standard certification number ISO 12312-2. This number will be on the glasses’ frame.

√ If you already own glasses marked with the international safety standard certification, inspect them to make sure the filters aren’t scratched, torn, loose in the frame, or damaged in any way. If any of these conditions are present, replace the glasses with a new, certified pair.

√ Read information on how to safely use handheld viewers on the American Astronomical Society’s website.

√ Ordinary sunglasses cannot be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers.

√ If viewing the eclipse through a camera or telescope, be sure your lens has a solar filter. Follow tips provided by NASA on how to safely photograph the solar eclipse.

James encourages New Yorkers to report any seller selling fake or solar eclipse glasses to her office by filing a complaint online.

New York state is giving away free I LOVE NY solar eclipse glasses that meet ISO certification standards at over 30 locations across the state while supplies last. A full list of locations distributing I LOVE NY glasses, as well as other sources for eclipse glasses, are available here. For more health and safety information, including tips for individual safety for those venturing out to view the eclipse, visit 2024 Solar Eclipse Safety in New York State.