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Travelling can be stressful, especially when it comes to keeping your luggage safe. Airports are busy places, and it's important to be vigilant with your belongings. While there is no foolproof way to theft-proof your luggage, there are several steps you can take to secure it and deter potential thieves. From using locks to choosing the right luggage and taking preventive measures, you can enhance the security of your luggage and have a stress-free journey.
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What You'll Learn
Use TSA-approved locks
It is important to note that no luggage is completely secure at an airport. Locked luggage does not equal tamper-proof or theft-proof luggage. All locks can be picked or broken. However, using TSA-approved locks can help secure your luggage to some extent.
TSA-approved locks are those that can be opened by TSA agents using a universal "master" key. If your luggage needs to be physically inspected, these locks can be opened by TSA agents without having to cut them. If your lock is not TSA-approved, it will be cut and removed by the TSA agents to gain access to your luggage. TSA-approved locks are recognized worldwide and can be identified by the red diamond logo, which is the Travel Sentry logo.
TSA-approved locks are available in various styles and configurations, including combination locks and keyed locks. You can purchase luggage with built-in TSA-approved locks, or you can buy separate TSA-approved locks and attach them to your luggage. Some brands that offer luggage with built-in TSA-approved locks include Travelpro (Platinum® Elite, Crew™, VersaPack™, and Maxlite®) and Master Lock.
It is recommended to program your combination code before packing your luggage and locking it before checking it in. This will ensure that your luggage is secure during transport.
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Keep luggage in sight
Airports are busy, stressful, and distracting places, so it is important to always be in control of your bags and belongings. If your luggage is left unattended, even for a few seconds, it will make you an easy target for theft. Even with increased security in airports, items are still lost and stolen from people's luggage. Therefore, it is important to keep your luggage in sight at all times.
When at the airport, carry your luggage with you everywhere you go and watch it carefully. Do not leave it unattended in public spaces, especially in high-risk spots like airports. If you need to step away, ask a trusted travelling companion to keep an eye on it for you.
If you are travelling with hand luggage only, ensure it is secure as your overhead locker might not be directly above you once you've boarded the plane, or anywhere near you. If the plane is busy and hand luggage space is overcrowded, your luggage may be placed in the hold, and without a lock, it is unsafe. So, if you have a lock on your carry-on bag, be sure to use it when you board the plane.
If you are sitting in a cafe or restaurant, slip the strap of your bag around your chair leg or secure it to the table. This will make it harder for thieves to snatch your bag.
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Avoid black suitcases
Black suitcases are a common choice for travellers, but they are best avoided. Due to their prevalence, black suitcases are easily mistaken for someone else's luggage, and they are also more likely to be targeted by thieves.
Firstly, black suitcases are hard to identify. A luggage executive told travel expert Johnny Jet that a hard-sided black suitcase is "the most common type of suitcase in the world", and therefore the hardest to find or identify. If your bag goes missing, you don't want it to blend in with countless others. Opting for a colourful suitcase or personalising your black suitcase with bright tags, ribbons, stickers, or patterned straps can make it more recognisable.
Secondly, black suitcases are more likely to be targeted by thieves. Bob Arno, author of "Travel Advisory: How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams While Traveling," explained that black bags are the easiest to steal without anyone noticing. If your bag looks like everyone else's, it's harder to spot when someone pulls it off the luggage belt. However, it is important to note that expensive, flashy luggage can also attract thieves, so it is best to avoid anything too pricey or fashionable.
To secure your luggage at the airport, you can also consider the following:
- Keep your bags with you at all times and never let them out of your sight.
- Use multiple locks and vary the type of lock to protect against thieves.
- Attach a sturdy, clear luggage tag with your name, phone number, and email. Avoid including your home address for safety reasons.
- Take a photo of your bag and its contents before checking it in, in case you need to make a claim.
- Use tracking devices that attach to your luggage and inform you if it is opened.
- Wrap your suitcases in plastic wrap to quickly determine if someone has tampered with your luggage.
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Use tracking devices
Tracking devices are a great way to secure your luggage at the airport. Frequent travellers can purchase tracking devices that attach to luggage locks and immediately notify you if your luggage is opened. This way, if airport security or a thief opens your bag, you will know about it right away and can take appropriate action.
There are several types of tracking devices available, including GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi trackers. These devices can be paired with your smartphone and an external app to help you locate your luggage. Some recommended trackers include the Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag, which provides constant and accurate tracking, and the Eufy SmartTrack, which is easy to set up, highly functional, and affordable.
When choosing a luggage tracker, consider the type of travel you typically undertake. For example, if you often travel internationally and have connecting flights, a tracker that uses a Bluetooth network may be ideal as it can track your luggage up to 200 feet or more. Additionally, make sure your luggage tracker is compatible with your phone before purchasing it.
To ensure a smooth experience, it is recommended to pair your tracking device with your phone before arriving at the airport. This is because the pairing process requires the devices to be physically close to each other, and doing it beforehand will prevent any last-minute stress or forgetfulness.
Luggage trackers can provide peace of mind and help you keep track of your belongings during your travels. They are a valuable tool to enhance the security of your luggage at the airport and beyond.
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Pack smartly
Packing smartly is an important part of ensuring your luggage is secure. Firstly, always check the airline's restrictions online before you pack. This will prevent you from having to open your bag and remove restricted items at the airport, which weakens your other security measures.
Secondly, do not pack unnecessary valuables. If you do, always keep them on your person, rather than in your luggage. It is also recommended to not flaunt the fact that your bag contains expensive items. For example, don't wrap the cords of items around the item itself, as this makes them unclear in scans, warranting additional security screening, which increases the likelihood of items being stolen.
Thirdly, pack multiple copies of your itinerary and contact details in your bag. If someone finds your lost bag, it will be easier for them to return it to you.
Finally, consider using imitation jewellery and watches. If you pack expensive items, they may show up in airport security scans, tempting those with loose morals.
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Frequently asked questions
Always keep your luggage locked and in your line of sight. If you need to leave it unattended, ask a trusted companion to watch it for you.
You can use a TSA-accepted lock, which can be opened by airport security without damaging your luggage. If you don't use a TSA-accepted lock, your lock may be broken if airport security needs to inspect your bag.
Choose a brightly coloured suitcase or decorate it with stickers to make it easily identifiable. Avoid black suitcases, which are the most common. You can also use multiple locks of different types to deter thieves.
You can use a sturdy identification tag with your name and number. You can also invest in a smart ID tag, which links owners with their property using a unique code and protects your identity and privacy.
Check the airline's restrictions online and make sure you're not packing any disallowed items. This will prevent you from having to open your bag and remove items at the airport, weakening your other security measures.
