• Before strapping in your child, always remove excess clothing like puffy coats. They can prevent the straps from tightening enough to properly restrain your child in a car crash.
• It’s much safer to strap your child in first and then either cover them with a blanket or lay their coat on top of them like a blanket.
• You can also buy a special car seat poncho for your child’s infant seat that’ll provide warmth without getting in between the straps and your child.

Using a car seat on an airplane helps ensure that children are held securely and safely in the airplane seat. Lap-only seat belts, like the ones found on airplanes, are not designed to safely restrain small children. A car seat will offer the same protection to children that seat belts offer to adults.

Good to know before you go:

• Although it would be ideal for children on an airplane to use the same seat they would use while riding in a car, not all car seats are approved for use on airplanes. The FAA indicates that car seats no wider than 16 inches will typically fit on an airplane seat. However, just because your car seat fits on an airplane seat does not necessarily mean you may use it in the aircraft. Your car seat should have a label that clearly states it has been approved for use on an airplane. If you cannot find such a label, refer to your car seat owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer. Also, the FAA does not allow the use of booster seats during takeoff and landing. Check with your airline to find out what kinds of restrictions they have regarding the use of booster seats.
• While most airlines should allow the use of car seats, it would be smart to double check with your airline before going to the airport. They might also have advice for transporting your car seat through the airport and getting it installed on the plane. Also, many airlines will not count a car seat as one of your bags, but it is best to check with the airline before flying.
• For those parents who prefer not to bring a car seat on to the airplane, the FAA has approved the use of a specialized harness restraint for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds— it is important to note that this harness is not suitable for use in cars.

The best thing you can do when traveling outside of the United States with your children is check the car seat laws of the country or countries you will be visiting. This will help you prepare and avoid surprises.

Before beginning your journey, keep in mind the following things:

• First, check with your airline(s) to find out their rules about car seat transporting fees and use in the plane. International airlines have different rules than U.S. airlines.
• Although Buckle Up for Life highly recommends against renting car seats in the U.S., when it comes to overseas travel, you might be better off renting a car seat at your final destination to make sure you comply with the local laws and recommendations. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before installing your rental car seat.
• Keep in mind that the seat belt may not have a locking mechanism to allow you to secure the car seat properly. If you are traveling with your own car seat and it has lock-offs, you are in luck – but if it does not, you will need a locking clip to secure your car seat. If your car seat doesn’t have one attached to back of it, you can call the manufacturer and they will send one to you. The key is to plan ahead.
• When traveling to Latin American and Asia, keep in mind that even though many countries have car seat laws, they are not always enforced. For this reason, renting a car seat at your destination may not be possible, so you may want to bring your child’s car seat with you.
• Additionally, many cars in Latin America and Asia do not have seat belts with a pre-locking mechanism that allow you to secure your car seat in place. Unless your car seat has lock-offs, you will need to bring a locking clip with you.