ENGINES OFF FOR KIDS’ HEALTH!

Sponsored by LWVGE and Go Green

2026 NATIONAL IDLING AWARENESS DAY IS MAY 21ST. READ MORE HERE!

Idling

  • Idling is running a vehicle's engine when not in motion.

Kids’ Health

  • Breathing exhaust fumes is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease, and cancer. 

  • Children are more susceptible to air pollution because they take roughly two times more breaths per minute than adults.

  • Monitoring at schools has shown elevated levels of pollutants during the afternoon hour coinciding with families picking up children.

 The Facts

  • Idling more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

  • Frequent restarting won’t harm your engine.

  • In the U.S., we waste 3.8 million gallons of gas idling every day.

Steps to Take

  • Turn your vehicle off if you need to wait more than 10 seconds. 

  • Avoid idling at schools to reduce children’s exposure to toxic vehicle exhaust.

  • To warm or cool your car in extreme weather, limit idling to five minutes.

  • Walk or bike to neighborhood schools.

  • Take the bus or carpool as much as possible.

Clean Air Site Sources