According to the Traveling Industry Association, each year one in four household
trips in the U.S. includes a child under the age of 18. For children on the go,
travel safety is of the utmost importance – whether it is by car, train, bus or
plane.
Always use a car safety seat for your child while traveling in a moving vehicle.
A rear-facing car seat should be used until your child has reached one year of age
and weighs at least 20 pounds. Once your child is at least one year of age and at
least 20 pounds, he or she can ride in a forward-facing car seat; however, it is
better to keep your child in a rear-facing seat until he or she reaches the highest
weight and/or height allowed by the car safety seat. A child who has outgrown her
car safety seat with harness should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until
the vehicle's seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9"
in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age). Laws vary from state to state in
the U.S., so be sure to check which laws apply to your child safety seat needs here.
Similar to motor vehicle travel, a child is best protected during air travel when
properly restrained in a car safety seat appropriate for the age, weight and height
of the child, meeting standards for aircraft until the child weighs more than 40
lbs. and can use the aircraft seat belt. You can also consider using a restraint
made only for use on airplanes and approved by the FAA. Belt-positioning booster
seats cannot be used on airplanes, but they can be checked as luggage so you have
them for use in rental cars and taxis.
Remember to give yourself and your child some extra time while traveling. With a
little patience and preparation, your trip can be fun for the whole family with
minimal stress!
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