3 Ways to Keep Your Luggage Safe While You Travel

By Tamiera Vandegrift on July 31, 2017

It’s a tale as old as time. If you are going to travel, the best time to do so is right in front of you. This is probably a statement that you have heard throughout your college career. You will most likely continue to hear this until you have your graduation cap in your hand, or maybe even years after.

As much as we would all love to hop on a plane to some dream destination (the streets of London, the villas of Italy, the jungles of Thailand, the beaches of Mexico, etc.), there is always something holding us back, and it isn’t just the cost of booking a ticket.

Traveling anywhere nowadays is risky. There is no telling what kind of situations you will find yourself in while you are so far away from home, surrounded by so many strangers. As wonderful as it would be to put our full trust in our fellow man whenever we travel, it simply is not realistic, particularly when it comes to your belongings.

In this day and age, everyone is showing off their new gadgets, like the latest iPhone or the sleekest digital camera. While travelers flaunt their belongings, thieves wait anxiously in the distance for an opportunity to strike. Do not give them this opportunity while you travel. Instead, read on to learn how you can keep your luggage safe while you travel.

Image via: www.pexels.com

Secure your bag

This may seem like the easiest, most obvious step but it is actually pretty challenging. As you travel, it is likely that you will see packages upon packages of travel locks being available for sale. They are TSA-approved, which means that you will not have an issue getting through customs, but infamously insecure.

Any amount of tampering will allow the lock to break free, surrendering the contents of your bag to anyone interested. So, the next logical step is to purchase a high-security lock, right? Wrong. These locks are at risk of being destroyed during a checked bag screening. While luggage locks are risky, having security is a lot wiser than no security whatsoever when you travel. Simply make sure that the lock is thick enough to resist sharp objects and secure against lock picks.

For added protection, fasten a zip tie to your bag and pay close attention. This will indicate whether or not your bag has been tampered with at any point during your travels.

Image via: www.pexels.com

Use your eyes

You have them for a reason! While it is definitely difficult to keep your bag close when you are getting ready to travel, or already traveling, you need to do your best to at least keep it in your field of vision. While you are in this vulnerable spot, imagine that your luggage is a small child that you need to keep an eye on in a large crowd of people.

You will want to keep your luggage as close to your person and within your field of vision as possible. With your attention on the bag, thieves will be less likely to approach it and even if they do, you have caught them right in the act with more bravado than Liam Neeson. There is a reason why that old automated voice in the airport tells you not to abandon your items over and over and over and over. Be wise and listen.

Also, keep in mind that there are only so many sets of luggage in the world. Eventually, they are going to start resembling each other. In order to avoid losing your bag, fasten a bandana, or a sticker, or something eye-catching to distinguish your bag from the rest. Doing so will make it so that you can avoid any awkward situations at the luggage wheel after your flight, or once the bus’ side trunk opens to reveal rows upon rows of bags.

In the now infamous words of Dwayne Johnson, “You’re welcome.”

Image via: www.pexels.com

Think outside the box

When it comes to valuables, like jewelry, money, or anything expensive, it is imperative that you keep those objects either on your person or in a bag that you plan to carry on you at all times. If you really must store anything valuable in your checked luggage, you need to know how to think like a thief.

Do not place your valuables in obvious locations where a thief would know how to find them. Make these valuable things look as inconspicuous as possible. Empty other containers, like deodorant cans or makeup removing wipe sleeves, and fill them with your valuables. By doing so, the location of your valuables will remain undercover. Again, use this method at your own risk as nothing is 100 percent certain. The best way for you to keep your items, valuable or not, safe is to keep them as close to you as possible.

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