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Safety of Travelers at Airports!
Related Pages - Please Also See;
Safety of Air Travel by Unaccompanied Minors (Children Traveling Alone by Air)
Cleanliness and Hygiene
The cleanliness of airports is very important for the health and safety of everyone there. Keep in mind that airport terminals are a confined space that tends to get crowded. Germs and diseases can spread quickly among passengers and staff inside airport terminals, making hygiene of critical importance. Airports need to make sure that soap and hand sanitizer dispensers are fully stocked, allowing everyone to wash their hands. Likewise, surfaces like handrails need to be cleaned frequently to help reduce the threat of germs spreading and making a large group of people sick.
Traveler Awareness
The good news is that most airports have safety and security officers who are tasked with looking out for everyone and preparing for most safety challenges. However, with countless people entering and exiting airports every day, they also have a role to play in airport safety. There are several things that travelers can do to help ensure their own safety and the safety of others, not to mention make things a little easier for the airport employees who are looking out for everyone’s safety.
Take Pictures of Your Co-Travelers
If you are traveling with your family or friends, take pictures of everyone right before leaving for the airport. If someone goes missing or gets lost, especially if it’s a child, you’ll want a recent picture on your phone to show airport security.
Be Early So You Don't Have To Rush!
The last thing anyone wants to do at an airport is feel rushed. People in a rush at airports are more likely to act irrationally, which can put others in a vulnerable position. That could simply mean knocking over someone else on accident while running to your gate. To prevent this, plan to arrive at the airport early and understand that it’ll take time to pass through airport security. It’s also important to show patience, especially with airport staff members who are doing their best. There are worse things than sitting in an airport terminal with nothing to do for a couple of hours. That scenario is certainly better than feeling stressed because you’re running late, so always plan ahead and give yourself time to get where you need to go.
Do Not Wander Aimlessly!
Even when travelers have a lot of time to kill inside an airport terminal, it’s best not to walk around without a destination in mind. You may not look suspicious, but you could be getting in the way of other travelers or staff who need to get somewhere in the terminal quickly. Along those same lines, try looking at a map of any airport terminal where you are going to be while traveling. This will allow you to know where bathrooms, restaurants, and any other amenities you may need are located ahead of time. That way, you will not be walking aimlessly or walking while distracted because you don’t know where things are located and you don’t know where you’re going. This is part of the reason why signage in airports is key to safety.
Do Your Research
Corruption is a problem among some customs and airport security officials. If you’re traveling to a country for the first time, it’s advisable to research what customs, duties and fees are applicable to your specific airport. Not knowing could result in you paying hefty fines for lacking proper documentation or not following certain rules. If you’re familiar with the actual duties and fees, you can challenge requests for a fine or submit documents accordingly
Hide Luggage Tags
Luggage tags are a useful accessory to identify your luggage. But they can also make you vulnerable to theft and robbery. When at the airport, keep your luggage address tags covered or omit your address altogether. Burglars often hang around airports checking addresses to locate empty homes.
Don Not Use Ride Sharing
When you disembark, you’re most likely exhausted and tempted to jump in the next available taxi or rideshare. But traveling with strangers can put you at risk. Your safest bet is to hire an airport limousine service as they’re reliable and safe, or ask a friend or family member to pick you up.
Get Travel Insurance
You spent a lot of time and effort planning your perfect trip, but you may have overlooked the importance of travel insurance.
Although insurance can’t prevent misfortunes, it can compensate you in certain situations, such as
-- Loss or theft of your luggage, passport, travel documents or traveler’s cheques.
-- Credit card fraud and replacement.
-- Cancellation fees and lost deposits for prepaid travel arrangements.
-- Unforeseen accommodation and food expenses because of flight delays of more than six hours.
-- Overseas emergency medical assistance.
-- Permanent injury or accidental death.
Do Not Befriend Everyone
When travelling alone, it’s common to get bored at the airport. You may find a few people to talk to, to pass the time. But trusting them too quickly can land you in trouble as they may have bad intentions. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going, your vacation plans or where you live. Also, don’t leave your personal belongings or valuables for them to watch when you go to the restroom.
Pack Your Essentials in Your Carry-on
Keep medications, formula, diapers, identification, a day’s clothes, and any nighttime comfort items with you at all times. There are lots of ways you can get separated from your baggage. Whether you missed your flight or the bag was simply lost, you do not want the stress of finding a pharmacy once you arrive at your destination! But don’t pack too much. Keep it light!
Start planning and packing your carry-on a few days or even a week ahead. Then, each night leading up to the trip, try editing out some items. Fewer things for TSA to check and fewer things to carry, lose, and break are best when traveling with kiddos.
Always Stay Alert
Remember, airports are not 100% safe, even after you pass that security checkpoint. Try to keep your phone down and stay vigilant when it comes to your items and your children. While looking away, your kids might wander into a shop or luggage might get stolen. Keeping your eyes peeled will prevent most incidents!
Introduce Your Children to Airport Staff
Depending on the age of your children, they may already know that police officers and firefighters are there to protect them. But, if your child has never been to the airport, they might not know who the trustworthy adults are in case of an emergency.
As you’re going through airport security and getting settled at your gate, point out the airport staff members and explain how they can help. With lots of unfamiliar people in different uniforms, it’s helpful to show your child who the friendly faces may be in case of emergency.
Bring Your Car Seat on the Plane (For US)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Safe in the Seat recommend that any child under 40 lbs be strapped into a car seat while on the plane. Having a child on your lap or in a regular seat belt will not provide sufficient safety in extreme turbulence or during a runway emergency. Plus, you don’t want your child jumping all over the place on your lap.
To avoid these undue stressors, bring your car seat on the plane. There are plenty of options that can make lugging around a car seat much easier—like a car seat backpack, belt, or cart! If you are a frequent traveler, you can even get a travel-specific car seat that’s lightweight, versatile, and easy to use!
Because the FAA strongly recommends your children be in car seats on a flight, every domestic flight allows car seats on board. But, this is not true for everywhere in the world. International airlines have different rules. Thus, it’s important to make sure you look into these rules before flying.
Additionally, most harnessed car seats in the U.S. are FAA-approved. But there are a few exceptions. Check for the white sticker with red lettering located on your child’s car seat to confirm it’s FAA-approved.
Baby Wear
If you’re traveling with a little one, babywearing is a great choice. You stay hands-free to roll luggage or hold the hands of older kiddos all while the baby stays comfortable. You can use a soft structured carrier that provides a little more support or a wrap that is easy to stow away in a carry-on bag for the flight.
Make Sure You Have Enough Power
Running out of power for mobile devices can be a big problem on travel days. You might not receive important flight alerts or phone calls from TSA. This is especially important in case a bag gets misplaced or a child gets lost.
Make sure you bring extra power in the form of a power pack when traveling. Airport outlets are not always available or reliable, and it’s even more hit-or-miss on the plane. So pack a few power banks to give you much-needed peace of mind! (And so you can recharge that tablet before “Baby Shark” turns off.)
Create A Behavioral Backup Plan
Airports are stressful environments for kids. And airplanes are worse! No matter how even-tempered your child usually is, make sure you have a backup plan for meltdowns. Your back-up could be their favorite snack, a new toy, their favorite movie, or a comforting sensory item . . . whatever it is, plan it and bring it!
No shame on travel days, either. If you need candy, movies, and gifts to get through the day stress-free, you go for it! We’ve got a whole list of great toys and activities to bring on the plane that won’t make a mess. And, even better, they’ll keep your children entertained for hours. Try grabbing a few of these and surprising your children before any outbursts!
Label Everything Important and Expensive!
Things get lost, and there are lots of good people at the airport eager to return things that don’t belong to them. It’s a good idea to label anything you have of monetary, emotional, or medical value. Mark tablets, comfort items, pill sorters, and anything else of the sort with your name and phone number! Give yourself the best chance of success if something is misplaced by labeling almost everything.
Bring Your Children to the Bathroom
This one might sound strange, but you’d be surprised how many times we see a group of seemingly abandoned children standing outside a restroom. This is usually the case when a single parent is inside using the facilities. It is, of course, never a good idea to leave your child alone in the airport. Instead, when you’re traveling alone with your kids, bring them into the bathroom with you.
If this isn’t possible due to the opposite gender or space concerns, find a family bathroom to use. Family bathrooms are very common in airports, although you may have to search a bit. That’s when planning ahead and double-checking the airport map can really come in handy. All in all, just remember to keep your children close, even while using the restroom.
Keep Track of Your Children
In the unfortunate event your child gets separated from you, create an easy way for them to find their way back. Simply placing an identification bracelet goes a long way, especially if the child cannot speak. But, you can also use an Air Tag tracker to keep tabs on your kids right from your phone – 24/7.
Taking the proper precautions while in airports will give you peace of mind and ensure a fun and safe trip for everyone.
Research Your Destination
When traveling internationally, analyze the threat level of the airport you’re going to fly through or to. One place to gather data is the U.S. State Department Country Specific Information pages. There you’ll find specific data to use about countries in general and specific areas in them.
Choose Your Clothing Carefully
Choose your clothing carefully before departing for the airport. Wear clothing in which you’re able to move quickly and safely. Don’t wear tight-fitting clothing, high heel or open toe shoes. As it turns out, this concept works perfectly in the event of an airplane emergency and evacuation. You may want to wear natural fibers, too. They generally burn and melt less easily than synthetics in the event of a fire.
Print or Download Your Boarding Pass in Advance
Whenever possible, print or download your boarding pass in advance. This is especially helpful when you have no checked luggage, as you’ll be able to proceed to TSA security immediately after arriving at the airport.
Be Situationally Aware
Scan your surroundings carefully while you move about the airport. Locate niches where you can quickly gain shelter and devise an escape plan from every area in which you find yourself. When you’re “stuck” in an area, try to choose a place there where your back is protected from anyone being behind you. Be aware of your surroundings or the people around you if your head and attention is buried in your smartphone, tablet, computer, book, etc. If necessary, make scanning your surroundings and the people in the airport a game to stay interested and aware!