Scare The Air – You Won’t Believe the Haunted House I Visited!
Hey friends—Scooter here!
The 2024 Spare The Air season ends on October 31! Since May, I’ve been out and about across Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, and El Dorado counties sharing information All About Air Pollution and how everyone can help reduce it. This is one of my favorite times of the year—not only because I can look back at the ‘paws’-itively awesome things I’ve done, but also because I love Howl-o-ween!
Have you noticed the witches, bats, and black cats that have been around lately? It’s ‘spooky’ season for sure! The other night I went to a haunted house with my friends. At first, I was looking forward to some scary fun festivities – but quickly realized that this haunted house was not for me!
We entered through the garage, where a fog machine made it look like a gas-powered car and truck were idling their engines and producing unnecessary emissions! The clouds of emissions formed invisible ghosts that traveled into the haunted house and across the driveway spreading the air pollution across the neighborhood! Suddenly a wizard appeared with the AQI chart, and an air quality monitor showing an AQI of 126! But even the wizard’s magic wand could not remove the air pollution from the party!
I’ll admit, I was a little scared! Air pollution can cause serious health problems, especially for those in sensitive groups like kids, pets, older adults, and pregnant women, so my friends and I ran out as quickly as we could! I’m so glad the haunted house was all pretend but there are very real things you can do every day to reduce air pollution and our exposure to it. Below are a few things you can do help:
- Check the AQI – The AQI forecast is posted daily on Facebook and X. The higher the AQI, the more air pollution. When the AQI is forecast to be 101 or above, that means there is enough pollution in the air for it to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (like you!) and vigorous physical activities indoors.
- Walk, roll, or ride to school – With permission from a grownup, walk to school with friends, or put on a helmet and ride a bike or scooter. Early morning exercise can help you focus on your studies, and help reduce the number of cars on the road and gas emissions in the air.
- Carpool – If you live too far to walk, ride, or roll to school, ask an adult to plan a carpool with friends, family, or neighbors! Every little bit helps.
- Share Spare The Air information – Tell your friends, family, and teachers how they can help improve our air quality with the resources for educators and Spare The Air toolkit.
These are just a few ways you can help reduce air pollution caused by gas-powered car and truck emissions.
The 30th annual Spare The Air season ends on October 31. I hope you continue to learn about air pollution and how you can help prevent it year-round.
Until next time,
Scooter
