Why Idle Off Matters Every day, cars sit with their engines running while parked, this is called idling. Idling pollutes the air wherever it happens, but near schools and childcare centres it’s especially harmful, because children are right there, waiting, walking, playing, and breathing in exhaust at close range. Children are most at risk Kids’ lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their body size than adults. Short-term exposure to traffic pollution can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory irritation, while repeated exposure can affect lung, heart, and brain development. An idling car can produce concentrated pollutants that linger at breathing height. Leaving an engine running near a child can be equivalent to smoking a cigarette around them. Small changes make a big difference Simply turning the engine off when parked for more than a few seconds reduces harmful pollution immediately. It’s a simple, preventive step families and schools can take to protect children’s health. Internationally, schools that encourage idling reduction report measurable improvements in local air quality and awareness among parents. Every parent can help Idle Off is about shared responsibility and community care - not blame. Small, consistent actions at pick-up and drop-off times add up to cleaner, safer air for children. Learn more about the research and evidence supporting Idle Off: MCF anti-idling campaign paper | Climate Council: Airborne Hazard