This summer whilst temperatures soared our A & E Paediatrics was over run so doctors are within their rights to warn us about the air pollution crisis as the weather dips. If last winter was anything to go by then we are in for a rocky ride. The figure I have heard being branded around by a medic was 18000 deaths as the numbers who have taken up the flu jab this year has declined further still for various reasons including the strand being weaker last year which has now being fixed. To me one explanation why the air is more polluted when the temperature drops is idling. We now know idling increases the pollution in any given area by 50% and yet up and down the country engines will be left on by well intentioned parents to try and keep their little ones warm but in the meantime they will be breathing in nitrogen dioxide. I have always asked parents politely where I can to switch off their engine if they are early and allow their child to go and run around the playground to keep warm. I do admit this doesn’t always go down to well but at least I tried. Whoever said raising awareness to protect children’s health was going to be easy, one day at a time I always remind myself as Rome wasn’t built in a day. So the more health warnings the professionals put out it makes things that bit easier.