After Her Flight Caught Fire, This Trauma Nurse Is Sharing 5 Emergency Safety Tips Every Flier Should Follow

Travel + Leisure

a day ago

Last month, an American Airlines flight from Denver International Airport was forced to evacuate on the runway ahead of takeoff after mechanical problems resulted in a small fire. The incident naturally led to panic among the flight's 173 passengers, and Travel + Leisure previously spoke with Danielle Fette, a former trauma unit nurse onboard the flight, to uncover her takeaways from the event—and what new habits she's bringing into her travels moving forward.
From exclusively wearing closed-toed shoes to keeping a crossbody stocked with essentials ready to grab at a moment's notice, these are the travel nonnegotiables Fette swears by after a brush with emergency—and we've found items at Amazon to help you stay just as prepared. Must-have gear starts at just $7, and you can trust you'll be ready for anything that comes your way, even if you're faced with an exceptionally long flight instead of an urgent situation.
If you need to evacuate your flight in a hurry, you certainly shouldn't waste valuable time waiting to remove your luggage from the overhead compartments. 'I saw so many people trying to grab their bags, and even pushing past children in the panic,' Fette previously revealed. Instead, you'll be better served traveling with all your essentials tucked into a crossbody bag that you can grab in a rush and won't weigh you down.
The lightweight Travelon Anti-theft Classic Small Crossbody is the perfect pick for the job since it's spacious enough to hold everything you might want on your person while dealing with an emergency—plus, it's designed with five points of security to ward off theft. The adjustable crossbody straps mean your hands will be left free to help those in need around you, and the primary pocket both zippers and clips shut, so you don't have to worry about anything falling out while you're on the move.
In the case of an emergency, the last thing you'll want to worry about is your shoes falling off in the rush to get to safety. When the plane in Denver burst into flames, Fette was one of the first people to evacuate, and she told T+L that she noticed some passengers in flip-flops losing their shoes on the emergency slide, even noting that the tarmac was very hot. 'I always wear running shoes and socks. In the past, it was for comfort, and since I'm chronically late, I often have to run through the airport. I never thought it could help me in an emergency,' Fette said, adding, 'My family and I will never wear Crocs or flip-flops again.'
These New Balance sneakers are made with slip-resistant rubber soles and cushy insoles that'll keep you comfy even if you end up standing on the runway for an extended period of time waiting to retrieve your belongings, as Fette did. The cushioned heels won't cause blisters, making them comfortable straight from the box, plus they're stylish enough to wear with your go-to travel outfit.
Not only will compression socks keep you comfortable in the sky, they'll also prove to be an asset if you're stranded on the tarmac in the event of an emergency. Designed to improve your circulation and reduce swelling that can come from spending long periods of time on your feet, the best-selling Charmking Compression Socks are the ideal companion for your favorite sneakers during travel days of any length. They're even flight attendant-approved, with one airline worker revealing that these socks 'provided comfort and support' and were 'perfect for [air] travel.'
Fette shared that after evacuating the flight, passengers were left without their luggage or belongings while the fire on the plane was tended to. 'We were on the tarmac for quite some time, waiting for the buses, and kept in quarantine while waiting for our belongings,' she explained. With that in mind, she now makes sure to always pack her bag with the essentials: passport, snacks, and of course, a portable charger.
The Veektomx Portable Charger comes with built-in cables that are compatible with a wide range of devices, and it offers high-speed charging while you're on the go. It's designed so as not to overheat or overcharge your phone or headphones, plus it's TSA-friendly and slim enough to take up minimal space in your suitcase. It'll keep your phone charged so you can communicate with loved ones regarding further delays, and you can even keep yourself entertained while you wait.
Fette previously shared with T+L that she recommends labeling your carry-on luggage with your personal contact information in case you're separated from your bags when evacuating a flight. So, a reliable set of luggage tags that conceals your information from prying eyes is a must-have—particularly the Teskyer Luggage Tag 3-pack that's now on sale for a mere $7.
With more than 4,000 purchased in the last month, these popular luggage tags are made with flaps at the front that cover personal information like your phone number, address, and name. They're affixed with easy-to-use clasps that seamlessly hook onto any bag, and since you'll have three, you can add one to your personal item, carry-on, and even your purse.
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