Traveling is an exciting adventure with family or friends, but risks like stolen luggage can make the experience traumatic. That’s why you need to keep your bags safe from anyone or anything that may take advantage of them.
Whether you’re bringing actual luggage or a medium-sized carry-on bag, these tips can protect your belongings from damage and malicious intentions.
1. Choose the Right Luggage
There are so many options for luggage bags these days, and selecting the right luggage can help you secure your belongings. Follow these tips:
- Check the bag’s size and dimensions to make sure it meets airline size restrictions for checked luggage and carry-on bags.
- Consider getting a lightweight bag to avoid excess baggage fees.
- Look for luggage made of sturdy materials, such as polycarbonate or ballistic nylon.
- Get a bag with a bright or outstanding color so it doesn’t get lost in the airport carousel.
- Make sure the bag of your choice comes with sturdy zippers.
- Check if the luggage has a warranty and the damages it covers.
- Get luggage with hidden compartments to safely store your valuable items.
2. Use Luggage Locks and Combination Locks
Luggage or combination locks prevent unauthorized access to your bags, especially in hotels, train stations, and airport security. Get one, set it up, and test if it works before using it for your luggage.
3. Keep an Eye on All Your Bags
Don’t leave your bag unattended anywhere, whether in airport carousels, train stations, or even your hotel room. Thieves can see your bag as an easy target if you look easily distracted.
As much as possible, have a separate small travel bag for your electronic devices, passports, house keys, tickets, travel documents, and wallet. Keep this bag close to your chest at all times.
Photo by yousef alfuhigi on Unsplash
4. Pack Smart with Packing Cubes
Packing cubes can keep your luggage safe, organized, and efficient. They help save space, protect important and delicate items, and make packing easier whether you’re using carry-ons or checked luggage.
Follow these packing tips:
Choose the Right Packing Cubes
Get lightweight cubes made of durable materials to prevent carrying extra weight in your bag. Select various sizes to fit different types of items. If you want to maximize space in your luggage, consider buying compression cubes.
Sort and Categorize Your Items
Put similar items together, such as shirts in one cube and undergarments in another. Keep travel documents and electronics in an accessible cube so they can be retrieved whenever needed. Use another cube for your toiletries so they won’t spill on clothes.
Pack Efficiently to Save Space
Roll all your clothes to fit them in one cube. Put the heavier cubes at the bottom of your suitcase and the lighter ones near the zippers.
Secure and Organize Your Luggage
Label your cubes or use colors to determine what you need whenever you need something quickly. Keep another cube for dirty laundry so you won’t mix clean and used clothes.
5. Use Tracking Devices
Place tracking devices inside your luggage to help you monitor its location if it’s stolen from your hotel room or misplaced at the airport carousel. Once you finish putting the tracking device in your luggage, connect it to an app on your mobile phone.
6. Store Items Securely in the Hotel Room
Once you get to your accommodation, keep your luggage safe in the room safe. You can also use suitcase locks to avoid leaving valuable items in the open. Store your other things on closet shelves if the room has any.
Photo by Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash
7. Be Cautious with Checked Luggage
If you’re checking your bag, avoid putting your travel documents, electronic devices, and other valuables in it. Use protective covers to prevent your checked suitcase from being tampered with.
8. Don’t Pack Sharp Objects
Leave your sharp objects at home. Packing sharp things in your carry-on bag or checked luggage may cause issues with airport security. Most airports prohibit bringing sharp objects regardless of destination.
9. Invest in Travel Insurance
Travel insurance gives financial protection while you’re on holiday. Disruptions like medical emergencies and trip cancellations can spoil the excitement. Here’s why you should invest in it:
Coverage for Trip Cancellation
If you cancel due to severe weather, illness, or other uncontrollable circumstances, your non-refundable expenses will be refunded. Travel insurance can also cover additional costs when you need to return home quickly because of an emergency.
Medical Emergencies and Evacuation
Travel insurance covers doctor visits, hospital bills, and emergency medical care while you’re traveling. It also provides emergency evacuation if you need urgent medical transport back home.
Lost, Delayed, or Stolen Luggage
If your bag is lost or stolen, you’ll be compensated, and your important items and essentials will be replaced. Travel insurance can cover meals, temporary clothing, toiletries, and necessities if your travel gets delayed. It can also include emergency lodging and transportation coverage if a natural disaster has affected your destination.
Final Thoughts
Traveling is more memorable when you can still keep your belongings with you from the moment you leave home until you return. Stay alert and proactive using combination locks and tracking devices to keep yourself from being a luggage theft victim and your belongings safe.
