6 Important Flight Safety Instructions You Should Always Follow

To enjoy a safe and comfortable flight, you need to stow your luggage in the designated compartments, turn off all electronic gadgets, fasten your seatbelt when the sign lights up, know that some rows lead to the exit points, use oxygen masks when oxygen levels become unstable, and use the life vest underneath your seat during emergency situations.

If you regularly fly from New York to Lake Placid or travel to any destination on a commercial plane, then you’re already familiar with flight safety instructions. These instructions are given by the flight staff and should be followed by every passenger in order to enjoy a safe and comfortable trip. The following are some of the basic flight safety instructions announced on commercial aircrafts:

Stow your luggage on the designated compartments

All passenger luggage should be placed in the compartments right above their seats. When you stow your luggage, double check that the compartments are closed securely because you wouldn’t want the contents to fall out during the flight. If the overhead compartments are already full, passengers can place their remaining bags underneath the seats in front of them.

Turn off all electronic gadgets

Many electronic devices emit signals that may interfere with important flight equipment. For this reason, passengers are asked to switch off all electronic gadgets that they are carrying with them. These include but are not limited to cellular phones, CD players, media players, laptops and sometimes even digital cameras. Passengers must refrain from using these devices during takeoff and landing.

Fasten your seatbelt when the sign lights up

There are seatbelt signs found all over the cabin. When these signs light up, passengers must buckle and tighten their belts accordingly. Flight attendants will demonstrate the right way of buckling and unbuckling seatbelts as well as how they can be tightened and loosened. Generally, passengers are encouraged to keep their seatbelts on when seated.

Know that some rows lead to the exit points

In emergency situations such as emergency landings, there are a number of rows designed to lead to exit points. There are signs on these rows indicating their strategic purpose, and flight staff will typically point out these rows during the flight safety briefing at the beginning of the flight. Because of their significance, the seats on these rows are assigned only to adult passengers so that they may easily help open the exit doors in cases of emergency. If you are uncomfortable with the responsibility involved with sitting in an exit row, you can ask to switch seats with someone else.

Use oxygen masks when oxygen levels become unstable

Aircrafts are equipped with many safety features and equipment. Oxygen masks are provided in in the event that oxygen levels become unstable. These masks automatically drop in front of passengers when the need arises. To use the mask, stretch the elastic band around your head and use it to secure the mask in place. Passengers can then breathe through the oxygen masks normally.

Use the life vest underneath the seats during emergency situations

Another piece of basic safety gear found in airplanes is the life vest. Life vests are typically stored underneath the seat of every passenger. The flight staff demonstrates how the vest can be worn and inflated early on the flight.

In addition to following these rules, everyone must exercise basic courtesies to their fellow passengers throughout the fight.