The biggest issue of great importance to all air travelers is safety. The more safety issues implemented, the more comfortable passengers will feel, here are some useful tips to follow and make note of in order to ensure that you have a safe and healthy journey on your flight:

When standing in line, try to strike up a conversation with someone and become friendly with him or her. This can also work if you are traveling by yourself and are seated next to someone. By doing this, you will be able to continuously check each other’s luggage to make sure nothing goes missing.

If you are bringing a laptop on your trip with you, it’s best to place this on the x-ray belt after your normal luggage when the time comes for airport security to routinely check everything. This will ensure that you are able to obtain your normal luggage quickly and effectively.

After boarding the airplane, place your entire luggage in the overhead compartment across the aisle from you rather than right above you. By doing this, you will be able to continuously keep an eye on it and ensure that no one is tampering with it or attempting to steal any of it. Furthermore, if you are carrying something onto the plane that will likely not fit in the overhead compartment, it is a good idea to try to have it stored somewhere else.

You will want to dress in clothes not only for comfort, but for keeping safety in mind as well. It is recommended that you dress in materials such as denim, wool, leather, and/or cotton, as these materials provide the best protection against fire and heat. Avoid dressing in anything synthetic as, should the airpane’s escape slide need to be used, synthetic materials stand an increased chance of ripping and tearing due to the slide being made of rough materials and Velcro straps.

When searching for the best seat on an airplane, keep in mind that the safest is usually located in the exit corridor at the back of the plane. This is because this specific area is considered to be the farthest away from any impacts and volitile jet fuel, therefore reducing the risk of injury should an accident occur.

Taking off and landing are the two most common times to worry about accidents involving the plane taking place. The best way to decrease your stress level regarding this is to, if possible, take continuous flights. It’s also a good idea to have an evacuation plan of some sort in mind. This will require you to memorize the locations of all rows that lead to exit points. It’s also recommended that, whenever possible, you book a flight on a larger plane with 30 or more seats, as not only are they better for passenger survival, but they are also licensed and designed under the strictest protocols.

A useful tool to have with you on any flight is a pen light, which can help you find your way out of the plane should an accident occur. Remember to always follow all instructions given by the flight crew in order to ensure that you successfully exit the plane as quickly and safely as possible.

A majority of planes oftentimes fly over bodies of water, such as oceans and/or lakes. If you find this is the case with your particular flight, be sure to memorize the locations of all life jackets or other water floatation devices.

Try not to drink too much caffeine. This is because the overall atmosphere in the airplane’s cabin is pressurized to a high altitude, which can cause headaches and nausea. If you drink either of these things, do so in moderation.

Perhaps most importantly, if you see something that appears to be even the least bit suspicious, tell a member of the flight crew immediately. This is important whether you are on a flight or still at the airport. There may be very little chance that something may happen to sabotage the plane you will be on, but it’s still important to be observant.

It is also extremely important to keep clear of overhead luggage storage compartments that may be or appear to be overfilled. There have been numerous situations where airline passengers have been injured as a result of luggage falling from these compartments.

When on a flight, it is normal to want to use electronic devices such as MP3 players and tablets to pass the time, either by listening to music or playing a game. Use these things with care; for instance, use headphones to help eliminate noise and refrain from playing any movies or TV shows that the person seated next to you may find personally offensive.

While in flight, it’s important to keep your circulation going by periodically getting up and walking around. Doing this can help to prevent deep vein thrombosis, which can bring about blood clots in your veins. Also, if you are a female, try to refrain from wearing dresses or short skirts if possible, as these garments do not necessarily cover all bodily extremities.

There are other important safety tips that you should make note of and follow, according to the Airport Fire Rescue Department.

If you have an issue with motion sickness, be sure to take all necessary medication on time. This will ensure that the medication is as effective as possible, thereby eliminating the risk of motion sickness.

If you are seated next to an emergency exit, know that you may be tasked with opening the door should an emergency with the flight arise.

Inform the airline you will be doing business with if you or a family member will need special arrangements made due to using medical devices, such as oxygen tanks.

There are also a few other things you will want to do in order to ensure that you stay as safe as possible on a flight. These include the following:

Listening intently to the in-flight safety briefing.

Keeping your seat-belt on at all times.

Don’t pack any items that are banned and/or restricted (i.e. weapons, drugs, etc.)

We wish you a safe journey