How You Can Help During an Ozone Watch/Advisory

Ground-level ozone, the main component of smog, forms when the emissions from motor vehicles, factories, motor boats, gas-powered lawn equipment, paints and other household products "cook" in the hot summer sun. Here are several ways you can help reduce your emissions on days with an ozone watch or advisory:

• Use alternative transportation. Reduce vehicle emissions by using public transit, carpooling, biking or walking.
• Postpone lawn mowing. Mow your lawn some other day or at least later in the day when it's cooler. It's healthier for you, your lawn and the air.
• Conserve energy. The fossil-fueled power plants that produce most of the electricity you use at your home and work can contribute to poor outdoor air quality. By conserving energy, you can make it easier for power plants to reduce air pollution, in turn saving you money and benefiting the air. So, use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, and turn them off when you're not using them. Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they're full. When ozone levels are high, run air conditioners less or turn them off when you're not at home.
• Postpone errands or plan your trips before you go. Delay or combine your errands into one trip and listen to the traffic report before you leave home. When you know before you go, you get things done more efficiently, which helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. When you first start a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour; it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine is warm.
• Refuel in the evening and tighten your gas cap. Refueling during the evening can prevent gas fumes from baking in the sun and creating ozone. Plus, tightening down your gas cap until it clicks or seals tight ensures that you have properly sealed your gas tank. By tightening down your cap, you are preventing up to 30 gallons of gas from evaporating out of your tank each year.
• Take it slow. Be kind to your engine and your wallet by avoiding jackrabbit starts and by driving the speed limit. Your vehicle will show its appreciation by giving you more mileage on every gallon.
• Reduce engine idling. Unnecessary engine idling wastes fuel and increases emissions. Idling can consume as much as a gallon of gas per hour and is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today’s modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling before driving away.
• Care for your car. Regular maintenance and tune-ups, changing the oil and keeping tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage, extend your car's life and increase its resale value. It could also reduce your car's emissions by more than half.
• Spread the word. If everyone you knew did a little to help improve air quality, imagine how much of a difference we could make because... it all adds up to cleaner air and better health for all of us!

For more information

• Wisconsin public transit links [exit DNR]
• Do a Little, Save a Lot!