Be “air aware” every day

Make it a habit to check the air quality so you can plan your day. Use tools like the EPA’s AirNow phone app or webpage, which show the current air quality in Longmont with a simple color scale. You can also sign up for ozone text alerts by texting “BetterAirCO” to 21000.

Adjust Outdoor Activities

On poor air quality days, limit time outside, especially in the afternoon when ozone levels are highest. Reschedule outdoor activities or start them earlier in the day when the air is typically cleaner.

Keep Indoor Air Clean

When wildfire smoke is in the air, it’s important to keep the air inside your home as clean as possible. If you have air conditioning, keep your windows and doors closed to limit smoke from entering your home. You may also want to change air filters more often during smoky periods and use a higher-quality filter if your system can handle it. You can even build your own air filter with a box fan.

Find Cleaner and Cooler Air Spaces

If you don’t have air conditioning or air filters, spend time in cooler, cleaner indoor spaces like libraries, recreation centers, shopping centers, or a friend’s house. Even a few hours in a space with cleaner, cooler air can lower your exposure to harmful air pollution.

Help Reduce Air Pollution

Finally, you can help improve air quality for everyone by:

• Skipping or combining a few car trips each week
• Not idling your vehicle, or switch to an electric vehicle
• Getting an automatic discount when you upgrade to cleaner electric lawn equipment.

Small actions like these add up. Visit Simple Steps Better Air for more details and ideas on how to help keep Longmont’s air clean.