How to Keep Your Luggage Safe

Feeling safe and the safety of your luggage is part of Travel Sentry’s DNA. Every solution we offer is aimed to achieve a better travel experience.

We want to share with you how you can prevent theft and loss of items when travelling. Whether that’s in the airport, at airport security or when you finally make it to your hotel. This is important as you travel with some of your most valuable items in your carry-on, in your hold-luggage and on your person. Here are some steps to stay vigilant and keep your belongings safe. 

Keeping Your Luggage Safe When Travelling

We hope these tips to keep your luggage safe will give you peace of mind and improve your travel experience.

Should You Lock Your Luggage?

It is essential to keep your luggage safe when travelling. Some travellers think that they should not lock their hold luggage as this was previously the advice. However, this was the advice when all bags were being searched pre-flight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now suggests you lock your checked baggage with TSA accepted locks. So, in answer to the question, should you lock your luggage, yes you can lock your luggage.

Look For the Red Diamond

All Travel Sentry locks are recognized and approved by the TSA. Look for the red diamond Travel Sentry symbol when shopping for these TSA Locks. The TSA screens approximately 1.4 million checked bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Many bags are searched by security agents before being loaded onto the plane. A search can be caused by any small issue picked up at screening.

TSA Accepted Locks

Airport security agents have specialist tools to access the TSA accepted locks and luggage. They can do this efficiently without damage, setting your mind at ease and speeding up the boarding process, a win-win! Other locks and luggage may be broken into at the screening process if a potential prohibited item is detected. This may damage the luggage and make it an easy target for thieves.

Do not leave luggage unattended

You should always keep your luggage locked and with you when you are at the airport. If luggage is left unattended and unlocked, anyone can open your bag and place prohibited items in it without your knowledge. Once your hold luggage has been checked in, it is out of site, however, if it has a TSA-accepted luggage lock you can relax as your luggage is safe. 

Track Your Luggage

Travel Sentry offers one step further when it comes to tracking your luggage. We offer an option for you to be able to report lost or stolen luggage with TSID. Our TSID is a smart ID tag with free lifetime protection. 

How Does TSID Work?

TSID links owners and their property using a unique code for any item that needs to be protected from accidental loss. By not showing your personal details on your property, your identity and privacy are protected. TSID comes with free lifetime protection with no subscription required. 

You can be as safe and secure as possible, but cannot control your luggage going missing. But, TSID is the global solution to track your lost luggage and help find your missing items.

Lock carry-on when flying and travelling

Carry-on luggage should also be secure as your overhead locker might not be directly above you once you’ve boarded the plane, or in fact anywhere near you! Often, if the plane is busy and hand luggage is overcrowded, your luggage will be stowed in the hold, and without a lock it is unsafe. 

Travelling through an airport

Being in an airport can be extremely busy, stressful, and distracting so it is important that you are always in control of your bags and belongings. If your carry-on is left open or out of sight even for a few seconds it will make you an easy target for theft.

Safety in hotel rooms and lockers

No hotel room is 100% secure. Use a security lock when you leave unattended luggage in your hotel room to ensure your luggage is safe while enjoying your vacation. We do advise you to lock your luggage and any valuable items away when you are not in your hotel room to avoid anything from being stolen and to be cautious, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Hotel Lockers

A hotel room is never fully secure, even if there’s a safe to lock your valuables. It is possible that the safe has a master key that hotel employees can gain access to.

We hope these solutions will help you to keep your luggage safe and allow you to enjoy your travel experience. Along with keeping luggage secure, passengers with Travel Sentry luggage locks or padlocks will have a safe, easy and efficient inspection without damaging baggage. Just look for the red diamond Travel Sentry symbol when shopping for these TSA-accepted products.

Our Common TSA Questions & Answers

We have put together a list of the TSA’s most frequently asked questions. Giving you the insight to have your bag packed to perfection and have a seamless airport experience. By knowing the answers to these questions, you can get through airport security quickly. Getting you to your well-deserved glass of champagne and your holiday started as soon as possible. 

Bags being searched at airport security causes longer queues and a slower airport experience. Every year millions of prohibited items are confiscated at airport security. These are usually items that have not been packed in hold luggage and could risk the safety of the aircraft. Here is our list of common TSA questions to help you be as efficient as possible.

Our List of Commonly Asked TSA Questions

Is ChapStick a liquid for TSA?

Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste may be flagged during screening and will require additional security checks. Chapstick, lipstick, and solid lip balms are not considered liquids by the TSA. They can be in your handbag, carry-on or hand luggage without being separated into your clear plastic liquids bag. 

Lip Balm and Lip Gloss

It is worth noting, lip gloss and jars of lip balm should be separated into your liquids bag. The TSA  3-1-1 rule determines that each liquid must be in a 100ml (3.4oz) or less container, and that all containers must be placed inside one clear, quart-sized plastic bag in order to be packed inside your carry-on.

Can I wear jewellery through TSA?

Although you’re allowed to take jewelry through TSA security you may be asked to remove it. This is the same as your belt and other metallic objects you may wear.  Depending on the weight and the size of the object it may be worth placing your items in your carry-on to avoid further security searches.

Placing Items in Your Carry-On

By placing it in your carry-on rather than your tray you avoid slowing down the queue. As well as avoiding forgetting items if you’re in a rush. It’s also a good way to prevent your items from being stolen, you can read more about keeping your luggage safe here.

Fine Jewellery

Fine jewellery and small pieces shouldn’t set off the metal detectors when you go through airport security, which means you don’t need to take every single piece of jewellery off.

Can I take an empty water bottle through TSA?

TSA has been through training on how to reduce its carbon footprint and it starts with the small things. Reduce waste and save some money by bringing a reusable water bottle.

Make sure your water bottle is empty.

So, you cannot bring water or any other liquids more than 3.4 oz. (although there are some exceptions) through security, but you can bring an empty bottle. Just fill it up on your way to boarding your flight after screening.

Do you have to take out portable chargers for TSA?

Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium-ion battery (most portable chargers will contain a lithium-ion battery) must be packed in carry-on bags. They cannot be in your luggage as they are capable of overheating.

PEDs

Power banks are categorized as Personal Electronic Devices (PED), which are essentially electronics with lithium batteries larger than a mobile phone. PEDs need to be removed from hand luggage and placed in a separate bin for screening.

Is a bar of soap considered a liquid by TSA?

You can take a bar of soap on a plane because soap bars are considered solids and therefore not subject to the same rules as liquid items. You can pack your favorite soap bar to freshen up once through security, without worrying about a TSA agent confiscating it.

Are makeup wipes liquid for TSA?

Makeup wipes, baby wipes and other wet wipes do not count as liquids, so can be taken through security. However, makeup is one area that can be confusing because many types of makeup are liquid-like in nature. Makeup can be expensive, so you want to avoid this being confiscated! Liquids, like foundation, nail polish, mascara and lip gloss are subject to the 3-1-1 rule. Items like face powder or bronzer, do not. 

Can you bring a blanket through TSA? 

The TSA allows travelers to include blankets in their carry-on bags and checked luggage. The TSA stated “A blanket is allowed through the checkpoint. Airlines set restrictions for the size and number of carry-on items allowed. Please reach out to your airline so you won’t have any surprises when you get to the airport.” 

In most cases, you won’t need to contact the airline, especially if you’re bringing a packable travel blanket with you on the plane. These blankets are designed to be lightweight and easy to store in your carry-on bag or backpack, so you won’t have to worry about them taking up too much space. If you’re planning on bringing a weighted blanket for comfort or to help reduce anxiety, please contact the airline.

Can you bring gummy bears through TSA?

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 100ml (3.4 oz) are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

Keeping Your Bag uncluttered

TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.

Candy on a Plane

Feel free to bring your gummy bears on your plane journey. As long as it’s not liquid candy then you’ll be fine traveling through airport security.

TSA Guidelines:

Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin.

Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on).

Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.

Remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. (E.g. laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.)

Remember to check the bins and collect all belongings after going through screening.