Many people don’t know this but an airborne airplane is one of the safest places that you can be. Of course, there are some obvious rules that have to be followed, which are unfortunately often ignored, to ensure that air safety is maintained. Although there have been increased reports and incidences of grisly plane crashes in the news of late, there are numerous safety advances and improvements both in technology and staff training that have helped to improve air crash survival rates in the recent years.
The good news is that although tragic crashes have and may even continue to occur, there are thousands of flights, which make up the majority, that take off and land without any reported hitches. That said, it is important to maintain basic safety tips as it could mean the difference between death and survival. Here are important air safety tips for you to remember on your next flight:
Fly nonstop routings
The largest number of airplane accidents occurs during the takeoff, landing phase, the climb or the descent stage of flight. As such, the best way to maintain your safety throughout is by taking fewer flights, which will automatically reduce your chances of encountering an accident. If you can, consider flying nonstop as it will not make much difference in flight but your safety will be more likely guaranteed.
Ensure your seatbelt is fastened
It sounds cliché and even trivial, but a fastened seatbelt can make all the difference and is, in fact, the foundation of your in-flight safety. A buckled seatbelt that is not fastened may not do much to offer security and protection especially at critical points such as takeoff, which could be aborted suddenly or unexpectedly for whatever reason. The distance between seats is approximately 20 inches so if your belt is fastened, it is unlikely that you will hit the seat in front of you.
Keep your electronic devices turned off
Before, flight attendants would check if your devices are turned off to exclude the likelihood of interference with any electronic systems on board. Today, however, it is improbable for a plane to crash because of a laptop in the background. In reality, the main reason why you should keep your laptop, phone or tablet away is that your devices are relatively heavy and are likely to slip out of your hand in the event of turbulence, which can inflict injury on someone else.
You must ensure that you are capable of staying warm in case of a crash. Wear long sleeves and trousers and avoid high heels as they have to be removed before evacuating on an emergency slide.