Buy your online airline tickets and and you will find that flight travel by commercial airplane is among the safest ways to travel. But there are still some risks. To improve your chances of surviving in the event of a crash:

- Sit near the wings, as the airplane is reinforced there to support the wings.

- Wear natural-fiber clothes. Synthetics can melt or ignite, producing smoke and toxic fumes and causing burns.

- Wear comfortable shoes or sneakers, without high heels. High heels can snag on the escape slide.

- Bring your own infant safety seat. Use one which has been approved for use in motor vehicles AND aircraft. Don't use one which was made before February 26, 1985.

- In the event of a crash, do not carry any bags or other items with you. They can cause you to tumble on the slide, leading to broken bones or more serious injuries.

There are two things you should do every time you board a plane, since they vary from aircraft to aircraft:

- Count the number of seats from you to the nearest exits, both in front of you and behind you. This will let you find the exits even if you've been blinded or the smoke is so thick you can't see the way out.

- Locate your personal flotation device. It may be your seat cushion, or it may be an inflatable life vest in a plastic bag stored beneath your seat. Sometimes a life vest is stored in or under your armrest, especially in business or first class. If you personal flotation device is missing or damaged, bring this to the attention of the flight attendant before takeoff.

If you do this, you'll save yourself precious seconds in the event of a real emergency. Those seconds can mean the difference between life and death.

Fatal accidents involving plane crashes are extremely rare. The chances of your being on such a crash is less than one in a million, according to figures from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

During the past ten years there have been usually only one or two fatal crashes a year, involving no more than 300 deaths. In contrast, in a typical year there are more than 40,000 fatal automobile accidents in the US. Of course, these numbers aren't really comparable. A more accurate comparison would involve the fatal accident rates per passenger mile and per passenger trip. But even so, air transportation is definitely safer than ground transportation.

Other safety issues:

+ Notify the flight attendant of any relevant medical conditions, disabilities, and/or medications. Medication should be transported in the original bottle. Carry a card listing any serious health conditions, the required medication and dosages, and your doctor's home and work telephone numbers. Include a list of allergies and your blood type.

+ If traveling by car in a foreign country and you are involved in a minor accident, do not leave your car. Instead, go to a well-lit area, such as a shopping mall (or better yet, a police station) and call the police. A common scam is for criminals to follow foreigners from the airport, bump their cars in a remote location, and then rob them.

+ If you need directions, ask at the airport information desk, a hotel, gas station, bank, or restaurant. Don't ask a stranger on the street. Even if you're lost act as if you know where you're going and continue walking.

+ Walk only in well-lit areas and avoid slums.

+ Don't make it obvious that you're a foreigner. When in Rome, do as Romans do. Keep a low profile and try to blend in as much as possible. Dress as they dress and carry your camera inconspicuously. Avoid clothing and jewelry that identifies you as a traveler. Don't engage in loud and boisterous behavior that draws attention. Women should be especially careful to dress appropriately, as clothing restrictions are more stringent for women in many foreign countries. Don't wear provocative clothing.

+ Carry important documents and valuables in a money belt or neck pouch. Store unneeded valuables in the hotel safe and not in your room.

+ In Europe, the groups of small children who crowd around you outside airports, hotels, and similar establishments are often pickpockets. Avoid crowds and unexpected situations.

+ Do not leave valuables unattended on the plane.

+ If you are having trouble managing your bags, get a baggage cart. A common ploy is for a scam artist to bump into you, sending your bags flying. While this individual is helping you gather your bags (and distracting your attention), a confederate is walking away with one of your bags. Stay alert. It is best to travel light, with a single piece of luggage.

+ Keep a list of your credit card numbers at home in a safe place, in case your cards are lost or stolen during your trip. You may want to bring a list of the bank phone numbers with you.

+ Let your family and friends know your itinerary, in case of emergency. They should also know how to get a copy of your medical and dental records, and your will, if necessary.

+ If carrying a purse, carry it in front of your, close to your body, and run the strap over your head (across your neck). The flap of the purse should be toward your body. Don't let the bag dangle off of your shoulder or elbow, as it is easier to snatch.