Breathing secondhand smoke is especially dangerous to your children’s health. Being exposed to secondhand smoke can trigger asthma a t t a cks or cause bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections.

The good news is that it’s easy to protect children in your home. By taking the Smoke-Free Home Pledge, sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and making your home and car smoke-free, you can protect your children from secondhand smoke.

What does taking the smoke-free pledge mean to you and your kids? It means that you choose to be a hero to your child by promising not to smoke in your house or car. You agree to go outside if you must smoke, because moving to another room, opening a window, running a fan or lighting candles is not enough to protect your child. You also promise that you won’t permit others to smoke in your house or car.

You can take your pledge a step further by making sure all the places where your child spends time are smoke-free, too.

So, how do you take the pledge? You call the toll-free hotline number 1-866-766-5337, or visit the EPA’s website, www.epa.gov/smokefree and click on the “Take the Home Free Pledge Today” icon. Just give your name and address and you will be sent a picture frame magnet, d r ink coasters, a certificate, a window decal and tips to help you keep your pledge. You can even print your own certificate to display at home.

Your kids will be proud that you care enough about their health to create a safer, cleaner and healthier environment for them and you can be proud that you are taking good care of their health and their future.