As I mentioned in other posts, we traveled with A LOT of stuff (understatement of the year) over the holidays. One of the best decisions we made was to check both our car seats at the gate so we didn’t have to lug them through the airports and security and so on and so on. (In my recent experience, checking car seats and strollers is still free even when an airline charges for luggage.) But, Preschool Boy is a small little thing and the FAA, American Academy of Pediatrics and NTSB suggest additional restraint to secure little ones in their own seats. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you it was much much easier to carry the 1 pound CARES restraint system rather than a car seat!
About CARES
CARES, the Child Aviation Restraint System, is the only harness type child aviation safety restraint ever certified for airplane travel by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
CARES Features
- Harness buckle for kids who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds
- Weighs less than 1 pound and has small 6″ carrying case
- Restraint system goes around the plane seat and attaches to the standard plane lap belt
- Comes with a DVD that explains the simple use
Our Experience
The CARES is made of the same solid material as a seat belt. It’s a large circle that goes around the airplane seat and has two straps with loops through which you feed the provided plane lap belt. It creates what essentially amounts to a 5-point safety harness like you’d find in a car seat. The installation was pretty easy, and the only difficult factor is that the strap around the seat has to go on the inside of the lap tray on the back of the seat so the person sitting behind you can actually use their tray. We usually boarded early since we were traveling with kids so we would get Preschool Boy all buckled in and situated before the person sitting behind him boarded. The installation, though, is very intuitive and pretty easy.
The straps are all adjustable so you can make it a secure fit for your child and it will easily grow with them. Preschool Boy seemed pretty content in his special seat belt and I liked that he was more safe using it than not. I also appreciate that it helped to keep in him place – he can be a squirmy and fidgety little dude.
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… I can’t believe I flew with my son in his own plane seat without one of these. It obviously adds an important layer of safety to the trip, but also helped to keep him nice and secure next to me. The alternative of carrying a large car seat to keep him secure seems so silly when you can throw the CARES in the stroller basket or diaper bag.
Or Not to Buy… The price might be an initial turn off, but the quality is great and it will certainly last many flights and several children.
Shop! CARES Restraint systems can be purchased online for $74.95. It’s also available in stores nationwide.
Win! A CARES – Child Aviation Restraint System!
How to Enter: Visit CARES and leave a comment here with the name of one of the many awards CARES has received. (There is a scrolling list on the left of the homepage.)
Bonus Entries - Valid only after you complete the first entry above. Please leave a separate comment for each you do:
* Sign up for the CARES Newsletter – bottom left of website
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* Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post on The Shopping Mama
The Fine Print & Disclosure: Giveaway ends January 20. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to AmSafe Aviation for providing a sample product for the purposes of this review and the giveaway prize. The opinions expressed are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.
Dr. Toy Best Vacation product. Married to a Pilot I think I will be buying this even if I don’t win. Thanks