Today, we celebrated our annual "I Love Science Day." We started the day with a morning reception/meeting with our wonderful bus drivers where we shared information about our new B2 (Breathe Better) program. Special thanks to Mrs. Kathy Brand and Mrs. Carla Lowder for jumpstarting and organizing this great, "green" program for our school community.
What is B2? The B2 (Breathe Better) program is an anti-idling/clean air campaign. The goal is to protect the health of children by reducing harmful vehicle emissions around the school campus. Solutions involve the efforts of students, faculty, administration, staff, and community partners working together.
At Doby’s Mill Elementary we have adopted an anti-idling voluntary policy for school buses, delivery trucks, and parents/car riders. No-Idling signs are being posted around the school campus. Other projects aimed at improving air quality will be planting trees, having green plants in every classroom, and encouraging alternative modes of transportation (car-pooling and bus riding).
Our theme: Turn the Key. Be idle-Free!
FACTS:
Did You Know?
Why is idling your vehicle a problem?
Mobile sources such as personal vehicles, school buses and delivery trucks are major contributors to air pollution in South Carolina. An idling vehicle is one whose engine is running, but the vehicle is not moving (parked or standing).
One hour of idling wastes about 1 gallon of fuel and produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, as well a other harmful pollutants. The bigger the engine, the more fuel is wasted by idling.
Children breathe in twice as much air as adults and as a result, inhale more pollutants. Pollutants from vehicle exhaust have been linked to asthma, heart disease and certain cancers as well as other respiratory diseases. Asthma is the most common cause of school absences. More than 24 million children in the United States ride a bus to and from school every day, and millions more take personal vehicles. Reducing idling time, especially on school campus, helps protect children from harmful emissions.
Common Idling Myths and Facts:
Myth: The engine needs to be warmed up before driving.
Fact: Even on cold mornings, excessive idling is unnecessary and even damaging to the engine. The best way to warm up is to idle for no more than 30 seconds (3-5 minutes for buses) and drive slowly for the first few minutes.
Myth: Idling is good for the engine.
Fact: Idling can be hard on your engine and cause excessive wear. Restarting is easier on the engine than idling.
Myth: Idling is better than restarting the engine.
Fact: With today’s vehicles, you will save fuel by turning off and restarting the engine. Idling for more than 30 seconds wastes fuel and produces more air pollution than restarting.
Don’t be caught idling. Take Action!
Helpful Tips:
• Limit warm-up idling to 30 seconds (3-5minutes for buses), even in cold weather.
• Turn off your engine if you expect to be stopped for more than 30 seconds (except in traffic).
• Turn off your engine at drive-through windows (banks, pharmacies, and fast food restaurants). Or just park and go inside.
• Carpool, walk, or take the bus whenever possible.
• Save gas by obeying the speed limit, accelerating gradually and refueling during the cooler evening hours. Do not “top off” your tank.