TULSA-- Jonathan Kratz said he enjoys taking his children to the park on a nice day, but when an Ozone Alert is issued, he said his family stays indoors.
"Just to keep them from being in harms way, and from being exposed to anything that might harm them and they're health," said Kratz.
Air quality experts said the conditions for an Ozone Alert Day triggers chest pains, coughing and headaches for people respiratory problems.
"If you're children have asthma you might want to keep them in on an Ozone Alert Day, because their likely hood to have more asthma attacks will be triggered and more respiratory conditions could be a problem," said INCOG Air Quality Program Manager Nancy Graham.
Officials said it's best to put off mowing or using gas powered tools during an Ozone Alert Day.
It is also recommended you leave your car at home.
"If we can keep the cars off the road, that does help. So maybe you can carpool. Maybe you can postpone a trip that you otherwise would have been idling a whole lot," said Graham.
Kratz said he hopes more people will make an effort to keep the environment safe.
"I think if we all do our part it's better for everybody," said Kratz.
Officials said using these Ozone Alert tips all summer long will better protect the environment.
Below is a list of tips from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
Take Action on Ozone Alert! Days
- Leave your car at home. Walk, bike, carpool, ride the bus or telecommute.
- Avoid long idle times. Walk in rather than drive thru.
- Postpone refueling. Wait until evening or not at all.
- Postpone mowing and using other gas-powered lawn tools.
- Postpone errands. Do them another day.
Take Action All Summer Long
- Drive less. Leave your car at home one day a week. Try walking, biking, carpooling, riding the bus or telecommuting. Tulsa's Transportation Resource Center can help: www.TulsaTRC.org.
- Avoid long idle time. If you can, walk in rather than use drive-thrus.
- Refuel in the evening and don’t top off the tank.
- Do your garden chores gasoline-free. Avoid gas-powered lawn tools until evening.
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