Do you know that your safety and the safety of others are your responsibility as passengers on an airplane? Most passengers take safety for granted when they board an airplane. They either ignore or don’t bother with the crew’s pre-flight announcements. Most go as far as surfing the pages of magazines or chatting away with the next person. Instead of the safety cards that show how to open the emergency exit and what to do if the oxygen mask drops down. Due to this nonchalance and negligence, people are needlessly hurt in accidents they could have survived.
This article aims to highlight some tips that everyone can use to help airlines stay safer once aboard a plane:
BE REASONABLE ABOUT YOUR LUGGAGE
Travel with a reasonable amount of carry-on luggage. FAA rules require all airlines to set limits on the number of carry-on baggage passengers can check in with. However, when your luggage exceeds these limits, the crew may insist that you check in some items. It’s important to note that there is no universal limit. These limits solely depend on the aircraft type and the quantity and weight of passengers’ load.
A bag that is not properly kept away can block the aisles during an evacuation or turn into a missile in an accident.
AIRLINE SAFETY: STORAGE BIN
What you put into the storage bins over your seat matters during an accident or a rough landing. This is because their doors may pop open, thereby spilling their contents. There have been cases of passengers in aisle seats being injured by heavy items falling out of these compartments when people are keeping or retrieving belongings at the beginning or end of a flight. Being considerate of others can require that you put heavy items under the seat in front of you and save the overhead bins for smaller and soft bags.
STUDY YOUR SEAT BELTS
As soon as you sit down, fasten and unfasten your seat belt a few times. Understand how it works. This is because there are several kinds of seatbelts that differ from one aircraft to another, and in the case of an emergency, you don’t want to spend time fumbling with it.
PAY ATTENTION TO EVERY ANNOUNCEMENT
There’s always a briefing about safety procedures, pointing out emergency exits, and explaining seat belts, life vests, and oxygen masks before take-off It is in the best interest of everyone to listen carefully, and if there’s anything you don’t understand ask the flight attendants for help.
READ THE PLASTIC CARD
Read it. The plastic card in the seat pocket in front of you will review some of the safety information announced by the flight attendant. It also tells you about emergency exits and how to find and use such as oxygen masks. While reading the card look around for your closest emergency exit. Remember, the closest exit may be behind you.
It’s okay if you don’t understand the instructions about how the mask works. It’s just not okay if you don’t ask a flight attendant to explain it to you.
DON’T SMOKE
Never try to smoke in airplane restrooms or in the aisle. There is a penalty of up to $2,000 for disabling a lavatory smoke detector.
What can you do if there’s ever a rough landing or an accident? Study the following and always try to remember
- Stay calm.
- Do what the crew members say. Their job is to help you leave safely.
- Look outside the window before you try to open any emergency exit yourself. If you see a fire outside the door, don’t open it or the flames may spread into the cabin. Use an alternate escape route.
- Try to stay down if there’s smoke in the cabin because smoke rises. Follow the track of emergency lights embedded in the floor; they lead to an exit.
IN CONCLUSION
Are you one of those people who jump up as soon as the plane lands, ready to sprint while the plane is still moving? Where exactly are you rushing off to? Resist the urge. Passengers have been injured when they were thrown onto a seat back or the floor. Planes sometimes make sudden stops when they are taxiing to the airport gate. Stay in your seat until the plane comes to a complete stop.