Traveling Safely: Baggage Safety

• Take only what you need when traveling; and if possible, take only carry-on luggage to prevent loss of your bags
• Consider that handbags, backpacks, fanny packs and tummy packs are targets for petty thieves. Put your valuables elsewhere
• Checked luggage should be well used, hard-shelled and lockable. New luggage is an attraction to thieves
• For carry-on luggage, choose soft sided, lockable, zippered bags

Packing Valuables and Medicines

• Carry the minimum valuables necessary, and plan to carry them on your person or in your carry-on luggage
• Do not pack jewelry, passport, cash, traveler's checks, vouchers or credit cards in your luggage
• Use a concealed carrier for small valuables and important documents. One of the safest places to carry them is in an under-clothing pouch or concealed money belt
• To lessen customs disruptions, keep prescription drugs in a carry-on bag and in their original, labeled containers
• Bring a copy of each prescription and the generic name for each drug
• If a medication is unusual, unique or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor specifying your need for the drug

Identifying Your Luggage

• Place a copy of your passport information page in each piece of luggage for positive I.D. should your bags be lost
• Put your name, and an address and telephone number at your destination, on a label inside each bag
• Travel without open luggage tags
• A unique ribbon, colored tape or strap is sufficient to quickly identify your luggage on arrival
• If you must use tags, use covered ones to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. Only include a name and telephone number; one at your destination if known
• Thieves sometimes use luggage tags to identify empty homes for burglary
• Do not use business cards or business logos as luggage tags

Locking Your Luggage

• Lock all bags and secure them with a strap, preferably one with a combination lock. Combination locks are more secure than key locks
• Straps coupled with locks will deter thieves
• If you do not use a security strap, run a strip of nylon filament tape around the suitcase to prevent it from opening if dropped or mishandled. Pack a roll of tape in your luggage so you can repeat the process
• Reset all the locks on suitcases to different combinations

While Traveling

• When going through airport security, place your bags on the belt only as you are ready to walk through the magnetometer, not while you are still in a queue. Immediately recover your belongings on the other side
• Thieves are known to work in pairs. One thief stalls in front of you in line while the other removes your items from the other side of the machine
• Keep your luggage in sight and close by at airports, railway stations or any public place
• Switching bags is a common practice of thieves at transportation and hotel counters. To help prevent this, mark your piece with a ribbon or tape
• Unattended luggage may be removed and/or destroyed by security staff
• Do not approach or remain near someone else's unattended baggage
• Do not agree to guard a stranger's unattended luggage
• Upon arrival, be present when your luggage is delivered to the baggage area, verify your baggage claim checks and quickly inspect your luggage to ensure that it was not tampered with
• If you must set down your suitcases or bags, place them against a wall or counter and maintain contact with them
• Watch your luggage being stowed aboard your taxi or van at the airport and hotel. If possible, take your carry-ons inside the vehicle
• If you take a taxi, pay the fare only after your luggage is unloaded and is under your control