Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Traveling With Children: Safety {CARES Child Aviation Restraint System Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

This product is featured as part of a week of Traveling With Children necessities.

According to experts and the National Safe Kids Campaign, all children 40 pounds and under should be in child safety seats on airplanes. But, let's face it, lugging a huge car seat onto an airplane is NOT a convenient thing to do. On the trip that Big Sister E and I just took, I could barely get myself, our carry-on bags and my daughter onto the plane and to our seats, let alone even consider trying to get a bulky 20-pound car seat on with us. But safety is the most important issue, right? What other options are there?


Fortunately for me, Louise Stoll, a grandmother of 9, recognized this same problem with her own daughter and grandchildren nearly 10 years ago and invented a Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES). Determined by the Federal Aviation Administration as providing an equivalent level of safety as a car seat, CARES is the first and only alternative that can be used throughout an entire airplane flight.

Designed for children between 22 and 44 pounds, CARES comes in its own small fabric pouch and tucks easily into any pocket or bag until you have reached your seats on the plane (see the pictures of my diaper bag from yesterday with the blue CARES bag neatly sitting right on top).

I was slightly nervous that I would have trouble getting our CARES correctly placed, but the steps were clearly laid out online, on the DVD and instructions that came with it and sewn on the CARES itself. When it came time, I found that the installation process was extremely easy and very intuitive.

After making sure Big Sister E was sitting down, I simply slipped the large CARES loop over her seat, moved it down to her level (meaning it had to go inside of the tray table behind her) and tightened it up. The airplane seat belt fed easily through the bottom loops of the shoulder straps and after buckling that and the chest clip, we were pretty much done and she then had something similar to a 5-point harness on a car seat or stroller. I adjusted the straps a little bit to make sure she was snug and then we were both able to sit back to relax and enjoy the flight.

Big Sister E was really happy to be able to sit in her own seat and, while being safe and secure, she wasn't confined like she would have been in a car seat. She was easily able to eat, sleep and stay comfortable and I had no fears of her bouncing around if we came across any turbulence. When we arrived at our destination, all I had to do was simply unhook her, loosen the straps and pull the CARES off over the seat. Our big, heavy car seat was waiting for us with at baggage claim with no problems.

The only thing I will do differently next time is to make sure to be prepared with printed documents from the In-Flight Documents section of the Kids Fly Safe website. As CARES is still relatively new, I did have an issue on one flight with the flight attendants not being familiar with it and not believing that CARES really can be used during takeoff, landing and taxiing.

However, I definitely plan on using CARES again in the future and its ability to be adjusted to any child is a major plus. The high quality construction (it is made out of the same strong material as the airplane seat belts) will hold up to multiple children and many flights for years to come. Considering the alternatives are to either lug a huge car seat or have your child (or grandchild) fly unprotected, it really is a no-brainer that CARES is the answer.

CARES retails for $74.95 online or at retailers across the country and internationally and if you have plans to travel with a child now or EVER, it really is worth the investment. However, thanks to the generosity of Kids Fly Safe, one person will not have to worry about the airline safety of the child in their life, because...

One lucky person will win a Child Aviation Restraint System from Kids Fly Safe of their own!


To enter to win a CARES from Kids Fly Safe: Visit Kids Fly Safe and come back and tell me something that you learned there, whether about CARES, the founder or the great company as a whole.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you sign up for the CARES newsletter (on the left side of their homepage) and/or tell me the closest retail location to you that sells this great product.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Win a CARES Child Aviation Restraint System (ARV $75) for hassle-free SAFE travels @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/9bpIzs #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Kids Fly Safe. Please leave an address where it can be found.


Giveaway will end on March 25th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

A huge thank you to Kids Fly Safe for providing a CARES for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. A genius, hassle-free way for children to fly! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

407 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1 – 200 of 407   Newer›   Newest»
IASoupMama said...

Wow! That's a really interesting product! Since you had to put the strap through the drop-down tray, did you have an issue with the person int he seat behind her?

Ellen C. said...

I learned that it fits into a 6" sack. Thanks for the chance.

sweetascandy579 at yahoo dot com

Kim said...

learned they were featured here: Every Day with Rachel Ray
September 2009

Kim said...

google follow u #1

Kim said...

google follow u #2

Kim said...

reader subscriber #1

Kim said...

reader subscriber #2

Kim said...

email subscriber #1

Kim said...

email subscriber #2

Kim said...

entered petit couture contest

Kim said...

entered natura contest

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/9885805912

KN said...

I learned that the Child Aviation Restraint System, is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
bohindy@gmail.com

Quirky Mama said...

I learned that the system only weights one pound! Wow, so light!

Quirky Mama said...

Well, there are no retailers in my state but I know there is a Buy Buy Baby near my parents home in Texas.

Quirky Mama said...

I signed up for the CARES newsletter.

Quirky Mama said...

I entered the natura giveway.

Quirky Mama said...

I follow via friend connect #1

Quirky Mama said...

I follow via friend connect #2

Quirky Mama said...

I subscribe by email #1

Quirky Mama said...

I subscribe via google reader #1

Quirky Mama said...

I subscribe via google reader #2

Jennifer said...

Cant believe it took 2.5 years for the patent to be issued.. go go government slowness!

Jennifer said...

Closest place is Buy Buy Baby in Charlotte, NC

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect #1

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect #2

Jennifer said...

I entered your Fibers.com giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your Natura giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your Mrs. Smith's giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your Nuddle giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your DevaCurl giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your Petit Couture giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your Chic Monkey Boutique giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your ABC Neckties giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I learned that CARES is the first and only harness type Aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat.

contestrobyn said...

I signed up for the Cares newsletter. The closest one to me is Tiny Tots Baby Boutique
(408) 866-2925
138 Railway Ave
Campbell, CA 95008, United States

contestrobyn said...

I follow you on Twitter and I tweeted

http://twitter.com/contestrobyn/status/9893294406

contestrobyn said...

I follow you on Google Friend entry 1

contestrobyn said...

I follow you on Google Friend entry 2

contestrobyn said...

I subscribe by RSS entry 1

contestrobyn said...

I subscribe by RSS entry 2

contestrobyn said...

I subscribe by email entry 1

contestrobyn said...

I subscribe by email entry 2

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Nuddle Kids Giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your DevaCurl Giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Eden Fantasy Giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Big Outdoor Playball by Hearthsong giveaway.

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Petit Couture giveaway.

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Chic Monkey Boutique Giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your ABC neckties giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Fibers.com giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Natura pillow giveaway

contestrobyn said...

I entered your Mrs Smith's Diaper bag giveaway

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip said...

This is so awesome. I learned that it only weighs one pound. That is so cool. You know I follow you!! You are awesome.

naomi@coolwhipmom.com

moushka said...

CARES is made of the same industrial-strength webbing as your own seatbelt......AWESOME!

moushka said...

There are two stores in my state of WA, neither are close to me.

moushka said...

1 Blog Follower!

moushka said...

2 Blog Follower!

moushka said...

1 Email Subscriber!

moushka said...

2 Email Subscriber!

Jennifer said...

I follow you on Twitter (@jkgorcery) and I tweeted: https://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/9899134784

polly said...

they receieved the moms choice award for their product.
polly
cherubpk@aol.com

polly said...

follow google friend connect.
polly
cherubpk@aol.com

polly said...

follow google freind connect entry #2.
polly
cherubpk@aol.com

abby said...

I learned that CARES weighs just 1 pound and fits into a 6" stuff sack.

abby said...

http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/9904817898

abby said...

Buy Buy Baby carries it.

abby said...

Google RSS subscriber
entry 1

abby said...

Google RSS subscriber
entry 2

abby said...

I have your button:
freeisglee.blogspto.com
entry 1

abby said...

I have your button:
freeisglee.blogspto.com
entry 2

abby said...

I have your button:
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entry 3

Unknown said...

I learned that the system only weights one pound! Thats awesome!
annamie2 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

follow on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/gravsie3/status/9906503338
annamie2 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

follow blog as the graves family
annamie2 at hotmail dot com
#1

Unknown said...

follow blog as the graves family
annamie2 at hotmail dot com
#2

Unknown said...

subscribed to RSS
annamie2 at hotmail dot com
#1

Unknown said...

subscribed to RSS
annamie2 at hotmail dot com
#2

Unknown said...

subscribed by email
annamie2 at hotmail dot com
#1

Unknown said...

subscribed by email
annamie2 at hotmail dot com
#2

Unknown said...

entered in Mrs Smiths
annamie2 at hotmail dot com

Stephanie said...

CARES has been on the market for almost 3 years, but the idea was born nearly 10 years ago when my daughter Miriam visited me in Washington D.C. She stepped off the plane carrying her toddler, a 20 lb car seat, and a diaper bag....and she was 7 months pregnant. I was aghast at the scene and remember saying to my husband, "There has to be a better way!"
First trip with toddler across the pond this summer and this looks perfect!
tvollowitz at aol dot com

kjmaje said...

I can say from experience that this is a GREAT product. We traveled by air 2 years ago with our 3 children. Our twin boys were 1 year old at the time, so they required car seats for the plane. We've lugged a car seat on a plane before and remember the inconvenience. That's when I discovered the CARES harness. We actually rented two of them for the trip and they worked great! Very easy to install!

kjmaje said...

I signed up for the CARES newsletter. The closest retailer to me is the Toy Chest in West Hartford, CT.

kjmaje said...

I follow on Twitter (@kjmaje)

and tweeted:

http://twitter.com/kjmaje/status/9909119812

kjmaje said...

I follow via Google Friends Connect

kjmaje said...

I follow via Google Reader

Laureen said...

I learned that the founder is a grandmother of 9 who saw one of her children carrying so many things, including a car seat when she arrived at the airport. The grandmother figured there had to be a better way to travel and with less. Thanks for the chance to win!

lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

Laureen said...

I follow you on Twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/status/9912232897

lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/9922921001

kjmaje said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/kjmaje/status/9934714166

Kim said...

entered my busy kit contest

Unknown said...

I totally love it. i love that it beats lugging on board that huge car seat! I also learned its so small it will fit right into my purse!
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i am getting the CARES newsletter
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

there are currently no retailers who carry this in my area
lynnnjoe@hotmail.vom

Unknown said...

i entered the petit giveaway
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i entered the chick monkey giveaway
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i entered the envora giveaway
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i entered the airport kit giveaway
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i entered the pillow giveaway
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i entered the fibers giveaway
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/LynnAnnMatthews/status/9945313064
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i follow on friend connect
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
entery #1

Unknown said...

i follow on friend connect
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
entery #2

Unknown said...

i get your rss feed
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
entery #1

Unknown said...

i get your rss feed
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
entery #2

Unknown said...

i get your emails
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
entery #1

susan said...

I learned that CARES is the first and only harness type Aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat. What a great invention!

susan said...

Our closest retailer is Kahala Kids.

susan said...

I entered your Traveling With Children Event: My Airport Busy Kit giveaway.

susan said...

I entered your Come Climb Inside the Great Big Outdoor Playball from HearthSong giveaway.

susan said...

I follow and tweeted. http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/9950273939

susan said...

I'm an email subscriber 1.

susan said...

I'm an email subscriber 2.

abby said...

http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/9953488832

susan said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect 1.

susan said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect 2.

Paul, Cristina, Sebastian, Matteo, Luca, and Emilio said...

it's so light - only 1 lb!

cmsilvauf at hotmail dot com.

Paul, Cristina, Sebastian, Matteo, Luca, and Emilio said...

subscribe via rss

cmsilvauf at hotmail dot com.

Paul, Cristina, Sebastian, Matteo, Luca, and Emilio said...

Entered the natura giveawat

cmsilvauf at hotmail dot com.

Paul, Cristina, Sebastian, Matteo, Luca, and Emilio said...

entered the my busy kit giveawat

cmsilvauf at hotmail dot com.

mogrill said...

I like that it's less than a pound and easy to travel with. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Robinc said...

I have been looking for a good review of Cares. I learned that it will be great for my oldest, but the baby has to be above the age of 1 and 22 lbs to use it.

Robinc said...

My closest location is Buy Buy Baby

Laureen said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/status/9960510883

lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

kjmaje said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/kjmaje/status/9971243364

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/9972115030

momtoem said...

I learned that the system only weights one pound

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

signed up for the CARES newsletter

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the nuddle kids giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the nuddle kids giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the eden fantasys giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the great big outdoor playball giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the petit couture giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the evorakids giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the chic monkey boutique giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the fibers.com giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the ultimate pillow giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the mrs smith diaper bag giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered the my airport busy kit giveaway

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

follow you with Google Friend Connect #1

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

follow you with Google Friend Connect #2

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

subscribe to your RSS feed #1

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email #1

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email #2

lejn05@yahoo.com

Marcia said...

I learned that this product is certified by the FAA. We are flying in April and I have been searching for one of these in the stores! I guess if I don't win I could order it online!

learningmama at yahoo dot com

Sarah Simplifies said...

It can fit in a 6" stuff sack!

Sarah Simplifies said...

The closest retailer to me is kind of far! :( Buy Buy Baby
(630) 705-0823
1556 Butterfield Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515, United States

abby said...

http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/9977540227

Anonymous said...

Its faa certified and the company seems to really care about their products and values


jaimgurl85@aol.com

Anonymous said...

subscribe


jaimgurl85@aol.com

Anonymous said...

tweeted


jaimgurl85@aol.com

Anonymous said...

signed up for newletters

jaimgurl85@aol.com

Anonymous said...

going to enter your other giveaways now!!


jaimgurl85@aol.com

fancygrlnancy said...

CARES weighs just 1 pound and fits into a 6" stuff sack!
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered nuddle kids
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered deva curl
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered eden fantasys
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered hearthsong
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered petit couture
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered evorakids
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered abc neckties
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered fibers.com
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered ultimate pillow
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

entered mrs. smiths
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

follow #1
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

follow #2
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

subscribe to feed #1
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

subscribe to feed #2
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

subscribe to email #1
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

fancygrlnancy said...

subscribe to email #2
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

kjmaje said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/kjmaje/status/10025920735

Becky M said...

I learned that they have been featured in Parents Magazine and on Good Morning America!
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

there are no retailers in Wisconsin :(
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

google friend #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

google friend #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

subscribe to rss feed #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

subscribe to rss feed #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

email subscriber #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

email subscriber #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Great Big Outdoor Playball giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Petit Couture giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Chic Monkey giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered the Ultimate Pillow giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Mrs Smiths giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered My Airport Busy Kit giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Sarah Simplifies said...

I blogged about this on my Giveaway Roundup at Sarah Simplifies. Please check it out! http://sarahsimplifies.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-roundup.html

Sarah Simplifies said...

I blogged about this on my Giveaway Roundup at Sarah Simplifies. Please check it out! http://sarahsimplifies.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-roundup.html

Sarah Simplifies said...

I blogged about this on my Giveaway Roundup at Sarah Simplifies. Please check it out! http://sarahsimplifies.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-roundup.html

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/10039364666

Jet'set said...

I learned this: AmSafe Aviation, the Phoenix based company that manufactures most of the airplane seatbelts in the world...
inalak at msn dot com

Jet'set said...

I signed up for the CARES newsletter...
inalak at msn dot com

Jet'set said...

I follow w/ GFC
inalak at msn dot com

Jet'set said...

I follow GFC
inalak at msn dot com

abby said...

http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/10041950445

Jaydensgrandma said...

CARES is made of the same industrial-strength webbing as your own seatbelt. It is engineered and manufactured by AmSafe Aviation, the world's foremost manufacturer of airline seatbelts.
joyerast AT hotmail DOT com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I entered the great big playball
joyerast AT hotmail DOT com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I entered petit couture
joyerast AT hotmail DOT com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I entered evorakids
joyerast AT hotmail DOT com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I entered ABC neckties
joyerast AT hotmail DOT com

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