Aims to educate flying public on the proper way to transport children on aircraft

The FAA has a new website to help parents learn more about the use of child safety seats on airplanes. The website is part of the FAA’s efforts to encourage parents to use safety seats when taking their child on an airplane. Since 1996, the FAA has partnered with airlines and businesses to distribute information about safe air travel for children.

“It’s especially important to remind parents that the safest place for your little one is in a child safety seat, not on your lap,” said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. “We’re providing a single source of useful safety information for parents.”

The website contains tips for choosing the correct child safety seat for air travel, as well as other helpful guidance to ensure that families are prepared for their flight. Parents may also download a new brochure and current child safety news. Print public service announcements (PSAs), broadcast quality video, and radio PSAs are available for use by airlines, retail and media outlets, as well as web-based travel services.

The following tips are among the advice found online:

• Make sure your child safety seat has the following statement on it:  “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”
• The FAA strongly recommends that a child weighing:
• • Less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing child safety seat
  • From 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing child safety seat
  • More than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt
• Ask your airline for a discounted fare. Many airlines offer discounts of up to 50 percent for children less than two years of age occupying a seat.
• If you cannot purchase a ticket for your child, ask if your airline will allow you to use an empty seat.
• While booster seats and harness vests enhance safety in motor vehicles, the FAA prohibits passengers from bringing these types of devices on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off, and landing because they do not provide as much protection as a child safety seat. They should be checked as baggage.
• “Belly belts,” which attach to lap belts, are banned for use on US-registered aircraft.

To visit the new FAA Child Safety web site, click on the FMI link below.

FMI: www.faa.gov/passengers/childtips.cfm