How to Keep Your Checked Luggage Safe

There are a lot of things that you have to remember and do before you travel, and most travelers even keep a checklist to monitor everything closely and make sure that nothing is left out.  But, apart from making sure to bring everything valuable for your most-awaited trip, another important thing that you have to know is how to keep your luggage secured and protected from thieves.

RELATED: 6 Helpful Anti-Theft Travel Tips

There are many cases of luggage theft that you might not know of and you have to be extra careful to not experience this. You have to take some precautionary steps and expect mishaps to happen all the time so that you are well-prepared. These tips and hacks by Travel Tips & Hacks on YouTube will show you how to keep your luggage safe and deter thieves.

Tips to Secure Your Luggage:

• Choose the Right Luggage
• Hack-Proof Zippers
• TSA-Approved Locks
• Use Security Tapes or Tamper-Evidence Seals

How to Keep Your Luggage Secure:

#1: Choose the Right Luggage

Your luggage is your first line of defense when protecting your valuables, so the type of luggage you choose plays a massive role in how secure your belongings are. Hard shell cases made of polycarbonate or aluminum are difficult to break into and they’re impact-resistant, this type of luggage can also deter thieves who are looking for an easy target. Opt for luggage with double zippers, they are more difficult to pry open, some models even come with anti-theft zippers that interlock providing an extra layer of security.

#2: Hack-Proof Zippers

The most common way thieves gain access to your luggage is by using the pen trick, they simply wedge the tip of a ballpoint pen between the teeth of the zipper splitting it open even if your bag is locked. After they’ve taken what they want, they would simply run the zipper pull over the area they opened resealing the bag as if nothing happened. Choose bags with anti-puncture zippers, these are specially designed to prevent the pen trick by featuring teeth that lock together tightly. Alternatively, you could opt for zipperless luggage which uses latches or combination locks instead of zippers.

#3: TSA-Approved Locks

These locks are designed to be opened by TSA agents using a master key so your bag can be inspected without damaging the lock or luggage itself. However, many travelers don’t realize that this lock can also deter thieves from targeting your bag because it signals to potential thieves that it will take time to open, and time is something that most thieves don’t have. Not all TSA-approved locks are created equal, some are easy to pick or cut, so when choosing a lock, go for tamper-resistant and robust combination locks. Securing your zippers with a cable lock to a fixed point on your luggage can make it even harder to open.

#4: Use Security Tapes or Tamper-Evidence Seals

These tools are designed to show clear evidence if someone attempts to tamper with your bag, security tape is easy to apply along the seams or over the zipper of your luggage. If a thief tries to get into your bag, they’ll have to break the tape which creates a visible sign of tampering. Tamper-evidence seals work similarly but instead of tape, they use a sticker or seal that is placed over the zipper or main opening of your luggage. Some travelers even personalize their seals using bright or unusual colors to deter thieves as it makes your bag more recognizable and harder to tamper with without being noticed.

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How to Keep Your Checked Luggage Safe