Currently, adults are not required to purchase separate seats for children under age 2 and can instead place young children on their laps during air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration supports the use of safety seats, but does not currently mandate their use.
Children weighing more than 40 pounds should be secured in their own seat with an aircraft seat belt, according to the new AAP policy statement. Seat belts and child safety restraints are necessary to protect children from the effects of turbulence which is the leading cause of nonfatal injury to aircraft passengers.
Other AAP recommendations include:
·Pursuing technological improvements for child restraint systems on aircraft.
·Educating airline personnel on the importance of, and the requirements for, age-appropriate restraint use on aircraft.
·Making "loaner" child safety seats available to families traveling on aircraft.
·Offering discounted fares for restrained children.
As in motor vehicles, children younger than age 1 and weighing less than 20 pounds should be placed in a rear-facing, properly secured child safety seat on an airplane.
Children older than 1 year, weighing between 20 and 40 pounds, should be securely fastened in a forward-facing seat. Parents should select child safety seats that are labeled for use on aircraft.
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/2/199032