Safety For Children Stressed By Administrator, FAs

The FAA and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) announced Monday they are teaming up to keep passengers safe when they fly this summer. As the summer travel season begins, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and AFA International President Veda Shook laid out a series of safety tips for air travelers of all ages to keep in mind when they board an airplane.

Secretary LaHood

"Millions of people will take to the skies this summer, and we are doing everything we can to keep air travelers as safe as possible," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Passengers can help us by taking a few simple steps to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."

"We're calling on passengers to take an active role in aviation safety," said Administrator Babbitt. "We are committed to safety and we are asking every passenger to take just a few minutes to follow our safety tips and, most importantly, pay attention to your flight and cabin crews."

Travelers can make their flight even safer by following these guidelines:

• Pay attention to the flight attendant safety briefing at the beginning of your flight and read the safety briefing card.
• Buckle up. Keep you and your family safe by wearing a seat belt at all times while seated.
• Use an approved child safety seat or device if your child weighs less than 40 pounds.
• Prevent in-flight injuries by following your airline's carry-on restrictions.
• When it's time, turn off your personal electronic device (PED).

"As first responders in the cabin, a flight attendant's foremost responsibility is to help protect the safety and security of our passengers. Through comprehensive training and extensive experience, flight attendants are well equipped to ensure passengers arrive at their destination safely and securely," said Shook.

Veda Shook

Passengers can find additional safety information and the latest on airport status and delays online. The site also contains a video demonstration on how to properly install a child safety seat or device on an airplane. 

In December 2010, a group of aviation stakeholders, known as the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC), delivered 23 recommendations to Secretary LaHood and Administrator Babbitt on workforce development, competition and viability, financing of aviation systems, environmental concerns, and safety. Based on some of those recommendations, the FAA is stepping up efforts to educate parents about the importance of using a child restraint for air travel.

FMI: www.faa.gov/passengers