Car Seat Safety Series -- Airplane safety

I am excited to kick off a series on car seat safety, written by Megan Arce, CPST (Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician) and mother to 2 little princesses. My daughter, Bethany, introduced us and I was thrilled when she agreed to write this series for me. So, for the next few weeks, make sure you check back in on Thursdays for more important information all parents, and grandparents and other caregivers, need to know to keep our precious little ones safe!

Airplane Travel for Infants: 
When A Free Ride is Not Worth The Risk!

Image by Peter Griffin

With the holidays rapidly approaching and travel plans being finalized, many families are on the lookout for bargains.  While the idea of “Infants Under Age 2 Fly Free” sounds very appealing, this is one bargain to pass on, as it might end up costing baby his life!  

Babies don’t ride on our laps in cars, so why is it okay on a plane? It’s not! The laws of physics do not change in the air.  Lap riding infants can (and do!) easily become flying projectiles in even a tiny pocket of air turbulence, generally resulting in head injuries from the overhead bins (or other passengers!).  In an otherwise survivable crash landing, gravitational forces would prohibit even the strongest of parent’s from restraining their own child- it is not humanly possible- and since airplanes are equipped with only a lap belt for adults, the parent would likely fold over on top of the child they have somehow managed to hang onto to, and crush the baby to death.

Child Restraints (aka car seats) incur great injuries from the “free” ride too.  Like luggage, car seats are often mishandled and damaged by airline baggage employees. They must be visually inspected, in detail, prior to use. This goes for all types of car seats, all ages of children.  If any damage is apparent, the seat should not be used. If checking the seat is the only option, it should be packed in a cardboard box to absorb the energy of the blows, not the seat- (great reason to hold onto the original box).

I know I have put terrible images into your head, and for good reason- to keep babies safe.  My job as a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician is to think of the worse case scenarios so I can help parents avoid them.  I, too, travelled with a lap riding infant, not once, but 6 different times, back before I knew better.

ALL children belong in their car seat, safely installed in their own airline seat, exactly like it is in their car. Bottom line. It is safest for everybody on the plane, most importantly the infants and children.  This is not an area to skimp and to save, not where the safety of the baby is concerned.  Pretend, if you must, that lap riding was never an option, because hopefully someday soon it won’t be!

"When you know better, you do better!"