Pixabay / Izhar Ahamed

Nothing can dampen a getaway faster than having your belongings tampered with or stolen. Here are 5 tried-and-true tips for keeping your luggage safe through long-haul flights and layovers. 

1. Layer up on safety

It’s not uncommon for baggage to turn up damaged or tampered with on the other end of a long-haul flight. For this reason, your first step towards keeping your luggage safe when travelling, is to lock, tie and wrap your luggage.

ALSO SEE: What to do when an airline loses your luggage

Once packed into a carrier, luggage should always be secured with a lock, cable tie, or both. Some carriers come with a built-in lock and safety features – the reliability of which usually depend on the make and quality of the carrier. Always look for sturdy and strong. For extra measure, use an external lock.

2. Bring backup

Always carry a colourful supply of cable ties around with you as an additional security measure for your luggage. They’re inexpensive and can serve as backups if your locks are lost or broken. Plus, they make it easy to see if your bag has been tampered with.

3. Wrap it, don’t make it a habit

Luggage often ends up being manhandled between ports. Airport bag-wrapping services can help shield luggage from damage and deter thieves. It’s worth noting, though, that luggage wrapping facilities commonly use plastic. Relying on single-use plastic as luggage wrap may not be a sustainable or eco-friendly long-term option.

ALSO SEE: Airport mistakes to avoid

4. Have luggage that stands out

Plain, standard luggage can easily be mistaken for someone else’s or targeted by thieves. Make your bags stand out by decorating them with ribbons, colourful straps, or stickers. This also makes your bags easily identifiable on the baggage carousel. For safety, luggage can also be labeled with your name and number, but don’t include too much personal information that could put your privacy at risk.

5. Kit up with luggage tracking tech

Consider using a GPS tracker, Air Tag or Bluetooth devices to keep tabs on your luggage. Devices such as air tags can provide real-time updates on the location of your bags, which can be nifty for keeping eyes on your luggage even from afar.

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