KIDS

Did you know poor air quality can seriously affect your health?  Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality.  Emissions from personal automobile use contribute to a large portion of air pollution.  Simply put, the more we drive, the more air pollution we create, and the more we threaten the lives and health of our children.

Did you know?

• Children breathe in more air and breathe faster than adults
  
• Their smaller lungs create a higher surface area to volume ratio meaning they directly absorb more pollutants
  
• Children tend to breathe through their mouth bypassing the natural filtering system of the nose
  
• Children's lungs are still developing well into their teenage years.
  
• Children ten to have increased levels of physical activity and spend much more time outdoors
  

What to do?

Getting rid of the household car is not an option for most of us, but anyone can reduce his or her vehicle use. With a reasonable goal of reducing one in five single-occupancy vehicle trips, try the following:

Carpool!

Know a neighbour going to the same hockey practice as you are? Does your co-worker live in the same neighbourhood? Share a ride and share transportation costs, driving responsibilities and company!

Get active! Walk or ride.

Peterborough is a beautiful city chock with old neighbourhoods and beautiful, big trees! Take in some of our local landscape by walking, wheeling, roller-blading or cycling to work or school. It will add energy to your day and get you to where you want to go!

Ride the bus!

Save money and leave the driving to someone else! Peterborough has an affordable transit system that will get you to most areas of the city.

Combine trips!

With thoughtful planning you can save time and avoid engine wear by combining your errands into one trip. Reduce stress and fuel costs by going in off-peak hours!