How to Keep Your Luggage Safe

Apart from keeping your body and livelihood safe from harm when traveling, the next item on the “keep safe” list is most likely your luggage. Packed with valuables, clothes, meds and all the essential road luxuries, keeping track of luggage seems easy, but toting your belongings from place to place presents a slew of obstacles. Whether you check bags or carry on, keep your luggage safe and secure with these tips.

Invest in quality luggage. The bag itself can be the first line of defense against damage and theft. Some bags come with anti-theft mechanisms like coded locks and hidden zippers. Such features can deter thieves from attempting to ruffle through your duffel. Some bags are even lined or coated with puncture-proof materials to thwart sharp objects.

Track it. Dedicate a portion of your travel budget to a luggage-tracking device. Some airline’s mobile apps include this capability as part of the services, but attachable luggage trackers also can attach to bags to keep track of the whereabouts after handing them over to airline employees.

Add on travel insurance. If you are checking a bag, travel insurance may be worth the extra cost. Read policies thoroughly to make sure they include coverage for lost luggage, and to what limits. Some policies will cover lost, stolen, damaged or delayed luggage, or all four.

Carry on. Your bags cannot be tampered with or go missing if they never leave your sight. See if you can cram all of your belongings into a smaller carry-on bag, and travel with reassurance.