I recently learned that CARES (Child Aviation Restraint)-a belt and buckle device, designed for any size airplane seat, was recently approved by the FAA for use with older children with special needs. This is great news because until now CARES was certified for children 22-44 lbs, and under 40 inches tall – and while typical children eventually grow into using just the airplane seat belt, children with special needs often continue to need additional support. This is a huge obstacle for parents of older special needs children who are trying to fly. The children are too big for car seats so families are forced to drive if they want to travel. Just a few weeks ago, the FAA granted a special needs child who weighs 73 pounds and is 4 ft 11 inches tall, permission to use CARES.

Parents of special needs children over 44 lbs who want to use a CARES harness must still file a request with the FAA. However, requests will be granted more quickly and eventually should become the norm. Special needs children under 44 pounds can use the the CARES product without advance arrangements and may sit anywhere on an airplane except exit rows where no travelers under 16 are permitted. Now parents of all children can skip lugging a bulky car seat through the airport and grab the 1lb. CARES device instead. It provides all of the safety of a car seat, without any of the hassle.

About CARES:
Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is an award-winning product that has been sold to more than 35,000 families for global travel. CARES is a harness that loops around the back of the airplane seat, has shoulder straps that come over the child’s shoulder, a chest clip to hold the straps in place, and loops at the bottom of the straps for the regular seat belt. CARES holds the child securely against the back of the airplane seat.



CARES retails for $74.95 and can be purchased online at www.kidsflysafe.com or at select specialty retailers and e-commerce sites throughout the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Singapore.