The “lost ring” scam is one of the oldest and most famous of the tourist scams in Paris, France and has now spread all across Europe where many tourists gather. There are several versions of this scam and its delivery is dependent on the scam artist or thief presenting the scam. One common thread is that always the story told by the con artist ends in asking for a few Euros in exchange for you keeping the gold ring.
How the Con Works
In essence, the “lost ring” or “found ring” scam, is based on the simple act of duping the target to believe that this is their lucky day. The scam can be targeted to anyone, but almost always a traveler. The scammer walks up next to you and quickly bends down and picks up a ring on the ground (that they placed prior to walking over it.) The ring is often a gold men’s wedding band.
The scammer (often a woman) then offers to give you the ring but asks for a small amount of money in exchange for doing so. She pleads that she has no money or job and would appreciate a few Euros in trade for the gold ring.
Another “reason” to give you the band is that she has no husband, or that her husband already wears a gold band and has no use for this one.
Some con-artists claim that it is against their religion to wear jewelry and that is why they want you to have it.
She continues on saying that the ring is worth a lot of money and it is your lucky day because she only wants a few euros in exchange for the ring. She pressures you into thinking that you are doing a kindness by giving her a few Euros. Laying on to her plea for a few Euros is that if she has a young child at her side making her look more honest or needy.
In reality, the ring is worthless and made of cheap brass – but it looks like gold.
Variations of the “Lost Ring Scam”
Some victims of this scam have reported that the scammer begins to yell if you don’t give them a finders fee. Other variations have included a few accomplices who just “happen” to be walking by and verbally support the fact that the ring is valuable and you are very lucky to have found it.
The best course of action in these cases is to simply walk away and try not to engage them in a conversation.
Videos of the Famous Paris Found Gold Ring Scam
What to Do if You’re a Target of This Street Scam
If you are approached by someone handing you a gold ring, the best thing to do is to walk away, and not engage with the scammer. Be prepared that they may yell at you and accuse you of stealing from them, even if you didn’t take the ring. Their motive is to get you to give them money so they will go away. Don’t cave in to their bullying and public shaming tactics. Remember they are the bad guy, not you.
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You have either seen it or heard about this gut-wrenching experience. Your airplane arrives at your final destination – you walk down to baggage claim – and stand at the baggage carousel for what seems like an eternity. You watch everyone else’s bags come down the conveyor belt. Then the carousel comes to an abrupt stop. You have lost, delayed, or damaged luggage.
What to do if your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged
You stand there staring at the empty baggage carousel when your head starts filling with panic about what happened to your luggage. Then the most important thought enters your mind – what should I do next and who’s responsible?
Interesting statistics about luggage problems with the airlines, last year air travel increased about 5% among air travelers, but complaints about baggage doubled. Roughly the airline industry mishandled about 6 out of every 1000 bags. That’s not too bad unless the bag that is lost belongs to you. The airlines have a higher stake now more than ever to ensure your luggage gets to you. The amount the airline has to pay you for your lost luggage has increased over the years, which has resulted in airlines struggling to find a better way to move and track luggage.
The manner in which airlines move and track luggage has recently been upgraded to an electronic scanner system throughout the baggage process. A sophisticated system that tags bags with a radio transmitter or bar code that tracks bags just like FedEx tracks a package. Airlines tag each bag with routing information plus apply a sticker with a barcode to your bag as a redundancy measure in case the tag is lost or pulled off.
Most Common Reasons Why Luggage is Lost
The Routing Label Gets Damaged
When you check your bag, it gets tagged with an oddly printed, illegible routing label—or a legible label gets snagged and torn off your bag shortly after being tagged. Adding insult to injury, it’s a new suitcase, and you’ve forgotten to fill in the cool, leather-bound identification card. No one notices the missing/unreadable tag until the bag has gone through TSA and arrived in the hectic distribution area. Because there’s no way to tell where the bag should be headed, it just stays put. After arriving at your destination and waiting in vain for your bag to appear on the carousel, you file a report at the local baggage service counter, providing a solid description of the suitcase including any luggage tags. You’re told it’s going to take a bit of searching, so you continue without it.
You Forget to Pick Up Your Luggage Upon Landing
You would be surprised how often travelers forget to claim their baggage. It happens for a variety of reasons such as being distracted by an urgent text, being late for a meeting, etc.
Your Bag is Loaded Onto the Wrong Plane
Human error steps in, an employee, places it on the wrong baggage cart and, as a result, it gets loaded onto the wrong plane.
Luggage Protection – All You Need to Know
Damaged Baggage If your suitcase arrives smashed or torn, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If it can’t be fixed, they will negotiate a settlement to pay you its depreciated value. The same holds true for belongings packed inside. Airlines may decline to pay for damage caused by the fragile nature of the broken item or inadequate packing, rather than the airline’s rough handling. Carriers may also refuse to give you money for your damaged items inside the bag when there’s no evidence of external damage to the suitcase. But airlines generally don’t disclaim liability for fragile merchandise packed in its original factory sealed carton, a cardboard mailing tube, or other container designed for shipping and packed with protective padding material. When you check-in, airline personnel should let you know if they think your suitcase or package may not survive the trip intact. Before accepting a questionable item, they will ask you to sign a statement in which you agree to check it at your own risk. But even if you do sign this form, the airline might be liable for damage if it is caused by its own negligence shown by external injury to the suitcase or package.
Reporting Damaged Luggage
You should report any luggage damage before leaving the airport; airline customer service will often want to inspect the bag before you leave. Most airlines won’t cover minor wear and tear. If you do decide to make a claim with the airlines for damaged luggage, you will most likely need to produce a receipt for any repairs, or be required to use airline-sanctioned luggage repair vendors. Ask the baggage claim attendant for specific information. You don’t want to find out that you have paid for a repair that it isn’t covered.
Delayed Luggage
If your bags are delayed, try not to panic. The airlines typically have ways to track them, and about 98 percent of all misplaced luggage is returned eventually. If your bags are on the next flight, you could have them within a few hours. If they’ve been sent to the wrong airport, it could take a couple of days to get them. Make sure to file your claim immediately at the airport and to give the attendant a hotel or home address, as well as a phone number where you can be reached.
If you and your suitcase don’t connect at your destination, don’t panic. In many cases, airlines will absorb reasonable expenses you incur while they look for your missing belongings. You and the airline may have different ideas of what is reasonable, however, and the amount they will pay is subject to negotiation. Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases. The amount depends on whether or not you’re away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you. If the airline does not provide you with a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities. You should also keep in mind that airlines may have the option to deduct any reimbursement or stipend from any subsequent awards.
If your bags don’t come off the conveyor belt, report this to the airline before you leave the airport. Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight. If the form doesn’t contain the name of the person who filled it out, ask for it. Get an appropriate phone number for following up (not the reservations number). Don’t assume that the airline will deliver the bag without charge when it is found; ask them about this.
Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts. If the airline misplaces sporting equipment, it will sometimes pay for the rental of replacements. For replacement clothing or other articles, the carrier might offer to absorb only a portion of the purchase cost, on the basis that you will be able to use the new items in the future. (The airline may agree to a higher reimbursement if you turn the articles over to them.) When you’ve checked in fresh foods or any other perishable goods, and they are ruined because their delivery is delayed, the airline won’t reimburse you. Carriers may be liable if they lose or damage perishable items, but they won’t accept responsibility for spoilage caused by a delay in delivery. Airlines are liable for provable consequential damages up to the amount of their liability limit (see below) in connection with the delay.
If you can’t resolve the claim with the airline’s airport staff, keep a record of the names of the employees with whom you dealt, and hold on to all travel documents and receipts for any money you spent in connection with the mishandling. (It’s okay to surrender your baggage claim tags to the airline when you fill out a form at the airport, as long as you get a copy of the form, and it notes that you gave up the tags.) Call or write the airline’s consumer office when you get home.
One of the most important things to make sure of before you leave the airport is that you are sure how to check on the status of having your bag(s) returned to you. Some airlines have an online system while others will provide you with a phone number to call for updates.
Lost Luggage
The first step to help make sure your bags and you are reunited is having good sturdy luggage tags on the outside of your bags. Once your bag is declared officially lost, you will have to submit a claim for damages. This usually means you have to fill out a second, different form than the original “missing luggage” form which will be more detailed. Check on this; failure to complete the second form when required could delay your claim. Missing the deadline for filing it could invalidate your claim altogether. The airline will usually refer your claim form to a central office, and the negotiations between you and the airline will begin. If your flight was a connection involving two carriers, the final carrier is normally the one responsible for processing your claim even if it appears that the first airline lost the bag. Airlines don’t automatically pay the full amount of every claim they receive. First, they will use the information on your form to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Like insurance companies, airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not their original price or the replacement costs. If you’re tempted to exaggerate your claim, don’t.
Airlines may completely deny claims they feel are inflated or fraudulent. They often ask for sales receipts and other documentation to back up claims, especially if a large amount of money is involved. If you don’t keep extensive records, you can expect to dicker with the airline over the value of your goods. It takes an airline anywhere from six weeks to three months to pay you for your lost luggage. When they tender a settlement, they may offer you the option of free tickets on future flights in a higher amount than the cash payment. Ask about all restrictions on these tickets, such as “blackout” periods and how far before departure you are permitted to make a reservation.
You may need to produce receipts to prove the value of the items you had in your suitcase. If you have them, include copies of any documentation you send to the airline. (Keep in mind that you will be reimbursed for the depreciated value of your items — so the airline won’t give you the full $1,000 you paid for that suit you purchased two years ago.) You can purchase “excess valuation” protection if your checked baggage is worth more than these limits (but before doing so, make sure the items aren’t already covered by your homeowner’s or travel insurance policy). The airlines typically have a long list of items for which they will not be held responsible; these include jewelry, money, heirlooms, and other valuables. These sorts of items should always be packed in your carry-on bag. Keep in mind that on domestic air flights, baggage liability is capped.
Airport Lost and Found Contact Phone Numbers
One last thing to consider about lost luggage, sometimes someone may have picked it up on purpose, or by accident, and simply left it someplace else in the airport. If that was the case, the airport police might have picked it up and placed it in the airport police lost and found. Here is a listing of the contact numbers for airport lost and found offices around the country.
Stolen Luggage
What happens if your luggage never makes it to baggage claim?
Head directly to the baggage carousel when you get off your flight to minimize the potential time for your bag to be stolen. Many airlines scan bags when they’re loaded into the baggage claim area and keep records, especially at larger airports. If your bag goes missing after you’ve left the baggage claim area, your claim is no longer with the airline, but with the police. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover a stolen suitcase; if it doesn’t, consider purchasing travel insurance.
There is a special reason the Transportation Security Administration warns travelers never to place jewelry, cash, or electronics into checked luggage. The reasons for this warning are pretty obvious: the luggage can go amiss, or worse, some items may be stolen from the luggage in the process of being moved on and off the plane. If you just came home from a trip and just noticed that your favorite piece of jewelry or expensive wristwatch went missing in action, you must act quickly and know who to report in regards to your stolen goods.
To help reaffirm the importance of getting down to the airport baggage claim as soon as possible, the below video should be a nice reminder of the hazards your luggage face if you don’t get down to pick it up soon enough. You need to keep in mind that there are certain types of thieves who specialize in stealing luggage out of baggage claim areas at airports around the world – especially the domestic terminals, which have less security than the international terminals do. Another point to keep in mind is that baggage claim luggage theft can happen at any airport, but most of the time the larger amounts of luggage theft obviously occur at larger international airports around the world. Watch the below video for more information.
Video Showing Luggage Theft at Airport Baggage Claim
What to do if Your Luggage is Stolen or Something is Missing From Your Checked Luggage
If stead your luggage appears in good shape but you notice something is missing only once home, there are good chances it could have been stolen in the process of embarking or disembarking from the plane. Now you have to keep in mind that depending on your travels; numerous people may have had access to your luggage – and not just airline employees. The TSA has information on this subject that you should read. Dishonest employees may likely be the culprit. It may sound unbelievable, but there are many stories of baggage handlers being arrested on charges of stealing electronics, cameras, and other products from the luggage of passengers.
Keep your valuables or electronics safe: leave them safely at home or place them in your carry-on baggage keeping a good eye on it for the whole duration of your flight. Expensive electronics and other larger valuables should always be placed in carry-on baggage. However, in real life, this is often not easy, especially if your items are bulky, too heavy, and uncomfortable to carry along with you on your flight. So if worse comes to worst, and you come home from your trip and find your checked luggage tampered and with items missing, what should you do?
What to Do if Items are Missing From Your Bag
The first step is to check if the luggage has a slip of paper from the TSA claiming it was inspected. If this is the case, you know you will have to file a claim with TSA and fill out a TSA Claim Form, located here. For more information on this subject visit TSA.gov and click on “For Travelers,” then “Claims Management Branch.” Click on “Forms,” then download, print and fill out the PDF “Claim Package” form. Mail or fax the completed form to the TSA; you’ll find contact information on the form.
Arm yourself with patience, though, even if TSA will try its best to get the claim processed quickly it can take anywhere from 60 days up to six months or more, depending on many factors.
If there was no slip of paper from the TSA, then you would have to file directly with the airlines. You will have to act quickly though as many airlines give you only 48 hours after landing to file a claim. It is best, therefore, to try to contact the airline directly by phone for instructions on how to claim. If you are missing electronics or valuables, it would also be a good idea to contact the airport’s law enforcement office at your departure and arrival airport to report stolen goods.
Keep in mind though that most airlines will not compensate you for the loss of some kinds of valuables such as money and jewelry. This is why such items should never be placed in the checked luggage in the first place. You may though consider purchasing extra insurance; it doesn’t hurt to inquire about this option.
Often passengers wonder: how can their items be stolen? Luggage may get damaged and eventually opens in the process. If this is the case, you will likely notice that your luggage is damaged and that some of your goods slipped out. If this happens to you, go straight to baggage claim and file a claim for damaged luggage and claim for your missing goods. A good place to look is also the airport’s lost and found. The problem is if there is no outward damage to your bag, yet items are missing.
Here are some tips to help document the loss and potentially help get your property back, or, at least, notify those who had custody of your luggage that a theft occurred.
First, call the main number of the airports or bus or train stations through which you traveled. When you call, you will need to ask to be connected to the lost and found department, baggage department, or security department, depending on where you think the loss occurred. You also need to make these calls in case you misplaced your items – which happens frequently.
Contact the law enforcement agency at your final destination, if you don’t know where the theft occurred. Tell them the circumstances and that something had been removed from your luggage – AND THAT IT WAS NOT LOST. Give them a report of what was missing – and whenever possible, if the item is electronic and has a serial number – PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. Entering serial numbers into the national law enforcement stolen property database (NCIC) is very important. After the police interview is complete, ask for a copy of the police report. The police probably won’t be able to do anything about your stolen/missing property, but the Transportation Security Administration or your hotel might request a copy of a police report before doing anything about your claim. If something is stolen by a fellow traveler or while you’re walking around town, filing a police report is your option.
Dial the main number for each train or bus station or airport you passed through and ask for the law enforcement or security office. Ask to file a stolen goods report. Unless you’re sure something was stolenmidtrip, file reports at your departure and arrival airports or stations. Security officers might notice trends in theft reports and be able to track down repeat offenders.
File a claim with the TSA. Look inside your checked luggage for a piece of paper that states the TSA inspected your bag by hand; whenever agents have to open the bag, they’re required to put this paper inside. Mention that you found this note when you fill out your claim, because it is proof that agents opened your bag and could have stolen something. You still can file a claim even if you didn’t find this paper. – Refer to the TSA section reported above for more information about this. Of special note, several American airports are serviced by independent screening companies rather than by the TSA. If you’ve traveled through one of these airports and are missing an item, you must file a claim with the company. Find a list of airports and contact information in the “Forms” section of TSA.gov
File a claim with your airline. Call the customer service number and ask calmly what you can do about a missing item. Each airline has its own policies, you should expect to fill out a claim form and wait several weeks before hearing from a representative.
Ask to speak to the hotel manager in private as soon as you find something missing from your room. Ask him to recover your missing belongings. Next, send a letter to the hotel’s headquarters. If the manager got your belongings back from other staff, tell the company what happened and how the manager handled it. If your things are still missing, explain what was taken and what its value was, and explain firmly that you expect to be reimbursed for the full cost.
Limits on Luggage Liability
If your domestic bags are delayed, lost or damaged on a domestic trip, the airline can invoke a ceiling of $3,400 per passenger on the amount of money they’ll pay you. When your luggage and its contents are worth more than that, you may want to purchase “excess valuation,” if available, from the airline as you check-in. This is not insurance, but it will increase the carrier’s potential liability. The airline may refuse to sell excess valuation on some items that are especially valuable or breakable, such as antiques, musical instruments, jewelry, manuscripts, negotiable securities and cash. International trips have liability limits that vary – as this is governed by two international treaties, the Montreal, and Warsaw Conventions. As of August 2011, if you paid a checked baggage fee for your lost bag, the airline must refund your fee. Check your air carrier’s Web site for specifics. You can obtain additional coverage for your baggage if you purchase “excess valuation baggage coverage” which can be purchased directly thru the airline.
This international limit also applies to domestic segments of an international journey. This is the case even if the domestic and international flights are on separate tickets, and you claim and re-check your bag between the two flights. Keep in mind that the liability limits are maximums. If the depreciated value of your property is worth less than the liability limit, this lower amount is what you will be offered. If the airline’s settlement doesn’t fully reimburse your loss, check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance; it sometimes covers losses away from the residence. Some credit card companies and travel agencies offer optional or even automatic supplemental baggage coverage.
Tips to Prevent Lost Luggage
Every year, over two million bags are lost, damaged, delayed, or pilfered, according to “mishandled baggage” reports made by the largest U.S. airlines to the Department of Transportation. (That’s about 3.57 reports per 1,000 passengers.) Here’re a few tips to help reduce the chances of your bag being lost when given over to the airlines:
Double-check: Ask the flight attendant handling your bag if you can see the routing information placed on the handle to verify its accuracy before she sends your suitcase down the conveyor belt. This is especially important if you have a connecting flight because bags are not always routed directly to the final destination—on occasion, it may be your responsibility to pick up your bag from the first leg of your journey and re-check it, and the best way to confirm this is to see what’s written on the label.
Make yourself known: The key is to ID your bag in multiple places—outside as well as inside—by placing ID cards in various pockets and pouches. And then add another, using the paper tags provided by the airline carrier. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number (preferably a mobile number).
Share your plans: Pack a copy of your itinerary (in a place that’s not too hard to find) so that airline workers will know where to route your bag in case they find it and cannot get in touch with you.
Document the evidence: Photograph or video the contents of your bag as you pack. Just lay everything out on the bed and take a few photos with your camera or phone. Not only will that help to identify your bag if it goes missing, it will also help with claims forms if your suitcase is never found.
Remove extras: Before checking your bag, take off any removable straps; this will decrease the likelihood of it getting snagged along the way.
Arrive early: If you check a bag within 30 minutes of your departure time, it may not make it onto the plane.
Stick to tradition: Finally, don’t check your bag with the curbside baggage checker; go inside to the main counter to decrease the chances of a mix-up.
Embellish your bag: Whether you buy a colorful handle wrap or just add a few stripes of bright duct tape, making yours different from the others could draw the attention of a not-so-motivated airline employee. Another option is to purchase a bag that’s not black or navy (like the overwhelming majority), making it easier to spot in a roomful of luggage.
Tips if your luggage is lost, delayed, damaged, or stolen while in the airline’s possession
Put your name on the outside and inside of your bags. Even better, put a copy of your itinerary in each checked bag so the airline can locate you.
The most common causes of lost and delayed bags are late check-ins and tight connections. Avoid both when you can.
Pack all valuables in your carry-on bags. Cameras, computers, medication, wallets, heirlooms, jewelry, passports, as well as confirmation numbers, itineraries, contact information, and other documents necessary for your travel, should never be in your checked baggage.
Itemize. It sounds tedious, but when an airline asks what was in your bag, you don’t want to forget anything of value. If you make a packing list before you travel, hang onto it — this is an easy way to remember everything you put into your bags.
Make sure the person who checks your baggage attaches the correct destination ticket to every bag and gets a claim ticket for each.
Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on bag so that you’ll have something to wear if your checked bag is delayed.
Travel insurance is the best guarantee that you’ll recoup any losses. See our guide to travel insurance for more information.
Consider using a baggage tagging service – in which many can be found by a simple internet search. Many of these companies offer luggage tags with unique serial numbers that can be linked to the suitcase owner via an online database. The site will contact you as soon as your lost item is found. (An annual fee applies.)
If all else fails and your luggage is lost
If your bag is lost, stolen, or damaged, be sure to file a complaint immediately. If you still can’t get satisfaction, or feel the need to report the airline, contact the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. Finally, if you’re wondering where lost bags go after they die, here’s your answer: UnclaimedBaggage.com!
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Sleeping with the hotel balcony door open is not the safest option, even on a high floor. Perhaps you’ve stayed at hotels with a nice balcony overlooking the ocean or with a view of the city and keep the sliding door open to hear the sounds. You also might want to keep the sliding door open for ventilation. Either way, keeping the balcony door open may not be the safest option; here’s why.
Should you sleep with the hotel balcony door open?
How safe is it to sleep with the hotel balcony door open? Most travelers think that hotel rooms on the first floor, where it would be easy to access a hotel room, might be the only unsafe doors to leave open. What about rooms on higher floors – are they safe? The answer really depends on the layout of the hotel balcony, how close it is to the ground, as well as how easy it is to access from the room next door or even the roof of the hotel. If you’re not certain, don’t sleep with the hotel balcony door open.
While thefts from hotels as guests sleep are not too common, they do happen worldwide. Case in point: recently, some guests stayed at a flagship hotel on the island if Malta and slept with the balcony door open. They awoke to the sounds of someone inside their room, went to investigate, and saw three men escaping the room through the room’s balcony. Luckily, they were able to alert hotel security which quickly found the thieves nearby in possession of items stolen from the guest’s room. The thieves were subsequently arrested. You should always keep the security of your valuables in your room top of mind even when you are sleeping in the room. Keeping your valuables secured in the hotel room safe is the best way to safeguard your valuables.
Personal Safety
More important than your valuables is your own personal safety. Therefore, always check the balcony door lock when you arrive back in your room and again when you leave to make sure it is locked.
Videos – Hotel Balcony to Balcony Thefts See How Easy it is to Gain Entry into Hotel Rooms by Open Balcony Doors
Think these types of thefts don’t happen, take a look at some of these hotel room thefts that occurred by a thief gaining entry to guests’ hotel rooms with an open balcony:
This highly recommended personal travel safe is cut and slice resistant and lays flat in your luggage:
Tips for your hotel stay
When staying in a hotel with a balcony, take a look around and see if it can be accessed easily from the adjoining balcony, a tree growing alongside it, or even from someone dropping down from the roof – which was the manner one thief used to gain entry to a guest room some years back.
2. Never leave items of value in plain sight when you leave your hotel room. Put them in the hotel room safe, locked in your luggage, or consider taking a portable safe with you in case your room does not have a safe to secure your valuables. The benefit of a portable safe is that, depending on the type of travel safe, it doesn’t take up much room in your luggage, and you can use it at the pool, in a rental car, and even at home.
3. The hotel housekeeper may accidentally leave the hotel balcony door unlocked after cleaning the balcony. This was the case in a Barcelona hotel. Always check the lock when you return to your room.
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A portable travel carbon monoxide detector is a must-have and must-pack travel accessory. News reports of vacationers killed while sleeping due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning are rare. But they do happen even in luxury hotel rooms, vacation rental homes, and villas. Carbon monoxide poisoning can even happen at home.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but carbon monoxide can kill you. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The only way to be alerted to a dangerous build-up is to have a detector in place. Most hotels and some vacation rentals, like Airbnb, provide a carbon monoxide detector. However, not all lodgings do, particularly outside of the United States. If you travel you want to travel and sleep safely. We think you should travel with a portable travel carbon monoxide detector. Fortunately, portable travel carbon monoxide alarms are affordable and easy to pack and use.
A travel carbon monoxide detector helps you travel safely
A travel carbon monoxide detector is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and can protect your life and that of your family. It’s one of a smart traveler’s must-have items to pack. We suggest you keep it in your toiletries kit so it’s always ready to go, and you don’t forget to pack it. You can find one here for about $20.00. As a perspective, you’ll probably spend more on that poolside drink, so it is worth the investment.
Common sources of carbon monoxide
Furnace
Water Heater
Dryer Vent
Chimney
Often the venting is not done properly and is leaky, this is the source of the killer gas seeping into the room.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms. This is why we recommend traveling with a portable CO detector.
A few of the best portable carbon monoxide detectors for travel
Kidde Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Detector
This Kidde model of carbon monoxide detector is powered by a wall plug and has a 9-volt battery in case of a power outage. A little larger than a pack of cigarettes, this item also has a digital display.
First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm
This more affordable carbon monoxide alarm plugs into a wall socket and also has a battery backup. You can use this device at home and travel with it too. A best-seller, this handy plug-in device has dimensions of 3.4 x 1.3 x 5 inches
First Alert CO710 Carbon Monoxide Detector with 10-Year Battery
A cautionary note for travel, this item because it has a lithium battery needs to be packed only in your carry-on bag. Airlines prohibit lithium batteries from being packed in luggage that goes into the hold
Final thoughts on a portable carbon monoxide detector for travel
Because carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, it is known as the “silent killer.” Some common household appliances, including gas water heaters, produce carbon monoxide. When were these appliances last checked at your vacation home, condo, or hotel room, particularly in another country? Keep your portable travel carbon monoxide with your toiletry bag so you will always pack it when you travel. If your portable travel carbon monoxide has a lithium battery (most 10-year detectors do) you must pack it in your carry-on bag, Airlines do not allow lithium batteries in the cargo hold of the plane. Travel with peace of mind. Be informed and learn more about CO from the CDC.
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Portable Safes That Secure Handguns and Small Valuables Such as Wallets and Phones
Firearm or gun security is the responsibility of you, the firearm owner. Many law enforcement officers or those with CCWs rely on vehicle safes to help ensure that pistols or guns if left in vehicles, don’t end up in the wrong hands. Make sure you’re in compliance with your most recent State laws regarding firearm security.
Being a victim of car burglary and theft of property is an unpleasant experience at the very least. Burglars know that people leave items of value inside vehicles out of necessity – and with cars and trucks being so easy to break into, every once in a while a burglar is bound to find a gun, hopefully not yours. Car alarms may provide some protection, but it just takes a few seconds to find a handgun and flee.
To act responsibly, gun owners who leave firearms in vehicles should strongly consider utilizing a vehicle gun safe or a portable car gun safe as a measure or layer of security. If you can’t wear your gun on your person or carry your gun with you, always store it securely, whether at home, at work, or in your car or truck. Look for solutions intended for securing valuables out of sight. If your center console has a large enough capacity you may be able to find a quality car gun safe or vehicle gun safe that will keep your gun enclosed in a steel case, secured with a lock, and hidden from view. Some designs of car gun safes come with a heavy-duty steel cable so that you can secure the safe to part of the vehicle, like a car seat frame or to the trunk. The benefit of this style of car gun safe is that it is portable. You can take the safe with you to another vehicle, home, or office to keep your valuables secure there as well. Here’s just one of the various designs available that tethers to the car and is sized to slide underneath a car seat.
Vehicle Safes That Turn Your Console into a Locking Safe
If you have a truck or SUV, consider a style of safe which is designed to fit inside your console. These safes are installed by bolting them to the console cavity. So they are more permanent. Once you lower the lid of the console, the safe is out of sight. No one but you knows it is there. You can use this style of car gun safe to hold other items you carry in your console and still have access to USB ports. Known as a Console Safe this style of car gun safe is not portable. The safes are vehicle make and model-specific so be sure to select a car safe that is designed specifically for your vehicle year and model. Here’s an example of a car safe installed in a console cavity.
A Car Gun Safe is a Portable Safe for Valuables Besides Firearms
A car gun safe may also be used to secure other valuables. If you need to travel using any form of public transportation and are authorized to carry a gun with you, then carrying your gun in a portable gun safe may be the only way that you are allowed to carry it with you. Whether your gun is stored within baggage or if it is carried in a briefcase, a portable gun safe is a perfect way for you to travel with your gun safely and in a manner that is generally approved. Check with the transportation management for rules and regulations. The TSA offers specific guidelines for traveling with a gun.
We’re sure that as you begin to think about a car gun safe for your vehicle, you will begin to realize the potential other security uses for it as well. Secure your wallet, phone, etc when away from your vehicle. Keep valuables out of the reach of valets or others driving your car. Strongly consider buying a portable safe or console safe even if you don’t intend to travel with your gun. A vehicle gun safe is an investment in your peace of mind.
The below gun security safes are for vehicles but they are portable security solutions for other environments too. Many of these safes work well in RVs, boats, homes, garages, offices, hotels, apartments, or dorms.
Theft at security checkpoints continues to be reported at airports around the world. Theft at airport screening stations is most prevalent in foreign countries or domestic airports without stringent TSA screening protocols. And the bigger the crowd and the greater the activity around the security checkpoints the better too. Therefore your valuables and property are at most risk in these locations and during these times. While this is not a very common type of theft, it can be devastating because it typically includes the theft of passports, wallets or other valuables you keep in your carry-on and are essential for travel. Imagine losing your phone or wallet at the beginning of a trip!
Two Types of Thefts Happen at Airport Security Checkpoints
Airport screening stations and security checkpoints lend themselves typically to two different types of thefts. One is set up or planned and the other is a theft of opportunity.
The planned or setup theft method involves two scammers working together as a team. The team targets you and right before you enter the screening line, both of the scammers walk in front of you in the security line. The first thief scammer goes through the security checkpoint screening without issue, however, the second one, known as the stall, holds up the line by spending time removing items from his pockets. Sometimes he even drops change on the ground to slow things down by fumbling the picking up of the coins.
He causes this stall or distraction only after you and he both have placed your carry-on bags onto the x-ray conveyor belt but before walking through the metal detector. This allows him or her to get to the bags as they come out of the Xray tunnel and before you have a chance to retrieve your bag. If your is small it can be picked up and placed inside another bag.
A second common method of theft is as you are delayed getting through the body scanner someone in front of you picks up a small item belonging to you like a wallet or phone which you have placed is a small open tray designed to hold keys, phones, and similar items, and places it in his larger bag and walks away with it hidden from your view. Sophisticated thieves may even hand off the stolen item to an accomplice.
How Do You Prevent Theft at Security Checkpoints?
Don’t walk through the metal detector before your bags When flying with a companion make sure one of you has cleared the detector before your valuables get placed onto the conveyor belt, that way the person on the other side of the x-ray machine can keep an eye on and pick up the bags immediately as they pass through. When you don’t have a travel companion and there are unavoidable lines, delay putting your luggage and laptop on the conveyor belt until you’re sure you’ll be the next person through the metal detector. And, as you move through the detector, keep your eyes on the conveyor belt and watch for your luggage and laptop to come through at the other end, while keeping a ‘sharp eye’ on what those in front of you are picking up.
Place pocket contents inside your bag
Avoid putting loose items of value typically carried in your pocket in a tray and letting it pass through. Place all valuables in a zippered pocket of your carry-on luggage. If you travel with a carry-on bag that does not have any external pockets, then plan ahead and place them on your bag prior to getting in the security line. If you travel with a laptop bag then place your small valuables in it.
Wear slip-on shoes Wear shoes that you can easily slip off and quickly put back on so as not to be distracted away from your valuables as the security station.
Get through the checkpoint as a trusted traveler
Join a trusted traveler program like TSA Pre Check or Global Entry to facilitate moving through screening with the least amount of hassle.
Plan for delays at security
Arrive at the airport earlier than you have in the past to avoid being rushed and possibly flustered by security checkpoints
Anti-theft or security carry-on luggage
The most secure luggage design for carry-on luggage or a checked bag has two key features. First, it should be made of a solid material like PVC, polycarbonate, or similar materials. This solid material is puncture-proof. The next must-have feature is that the bag clasps shut. Zippers can break and can be breached by a crook using a pen to poke through the teeth of the zipper. A quick guiding of the zipper pulls over the puncture hole and then reseals the breached zipper. Bags with clasp closures typically have locking clamp-style locks.
Do you sleep with peace of mind knowing your hotel room door is really locked? Are you doing all to stop burglars from opening hotel room door? You may think it is hard to get into a hotel room without a key, but given the right tool, a little bit of time, and depending on the lock it can be done and done quickly. If the burglar or intruder has a passkey or passcode it is even easier and faster.
The Best Way to Stop Burglars From Opening Your Hotel Door
Pack a portable door lock to augment the hotel room door lock even before you start packing your clothes. It’s actually best to travel with two devices for your safety and the security of your possessions. The first device will help keep intruders out of your hotel room, and the second recommended item will secure your valuables.
See for yourself.
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#1 Must-Have Security Device is a Portable Door Lock for Personal Safety
When you are in the hotel room always use a secondary portable lock. Below are some suggestions to secure your hotel door for peace of mind. Lightweight and small the portable travel door locks secure hotel rooms, dorm rooms, and homes by preventing entry even if someone has a key. Fortunately, there are various styles of secondary door locks you can use for additional security. Here’s a quick review of a few of our favorites. Not all door designs are the same or you may consider two different types of secondary locks to travel with to stop burglars from opening your hotel room door.
The Door Jammer – Portable Door Lock
The Door Jammer is placed at the foot of the door. Should the door be opened the horizontal force of the door swinging open is transferred to the floor stopping the door from swinging open.
The Portable Door Lock
The portable door lock is placed in the strike place of the door lock in the frame. It offers resistance if the door is opened even with a key it works on lever style and knob style handles.
Door Stop with Alarm
This travel door stop is the only one with a built-in alarm. It’s a doorstop you use to stop the door from swinging open. Should an entry be attempted the door will swing onto the plate pressing it down triggering an alarm. The alarm is 120 db which is loud enough to scare an intruder away and to wake you from sleep. The device has an on/off switch so it won’t accidentally go off in your luggage.
#2 Must-Have Travel Security Device is a Hotel Safe Lock or Portable Safe to Secure Your Gear
Is your gear safe when you leave your hotel room? Secure your values while you’re away from your hotel room by using a tamper-evident hotel safe lock for securing your valuables. Use a tamper-evident secondary lock such as the Milockie Hotel Safe Lock on the safe. Hotels have passkeys or passcodes to enter safes for guests who forget their code. The passcode or passkey could be used on your room safe while you are out of the room and you’d never know that someone had been in your room and opened the safe.
If your room doesn’t have a safe, or the gear you need to safeguard doesn’t fit inside the safe, then plan on traveling with a portable travel safe. If you prefer, usea portable travel safe to secure your valuables. The safes store flat in your luggage and can be used in cars, dorms, outside, at home, and in offices too, long after your trip is over. A couple of smaller and lightweight portable safes we like are:
Final Thoughts on Keeping Burglars From Opening Your Hotel Room
Be prepared to protect yourself and your valuables. Keep burglars out of your hotel room by planning to use travel safety devices designed for safety and security while traveling. The bonus is you can use any of these items at home too.
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Guide to the Best TSA Approved Luggage Locks – Which Lock to Choose
We’ve researched to find the best TSA approved luggage locks. Many travelers ask, “Should I lock my luggage?” Yes, however, you should only travel with a luggage lock that has the dual function of locking your luggage while still allowing for inspection by the TSA. You may need to upgrade your luggage lock to a TSA approved lock, here’s why. The Transportation Security Administration of the United States Department of Homeland Security knows as the TSA protects the nation’s airports and screens all commercial airline passengers and their baggage to keep us safe while flying. If you don’t use TSA accepted luggage locks you risk removal of your locks by a TSA inspector and potential damage to your bags.
What are TSA Approved Luggage Locks?
TSA approved means the TSA has a master key that will open any TSA approved luggage lock, instead of breaking, cutting, or damaging a standard (non-TSA) lock to open it and gain access to your luggage. Two lock manufacturers—Travel Sentry and Safe Skies have worked with the TSA to create TSA-approved locks under various brands that can be opened with a TSA master key. What is good for you is that the TSA’s master keys feature a special mechanism that enforces re-locking of the lock after inspection. This is accomplished by the functionality of the master key. The key cannot be removed from the luggage lock body until the luggage lock is re-secured by the TSA screener. TSA screeners no longer have to cut locks or force your bag open and risk damaging it, if you travel with a TSA accepted lock. If you do not use a TSA-accepted luggage lock, they have the right to damage and remove your lock to gain entry to your luggage for inspection, which, of course, will leave your bag unlocked.
Where are TSA Locks Recognized?
In addition, to the US and US territories, the UK, Canada, and Australia are also using this system. In other countries, they may flag your bag for inspection. Usually, they require you to open it at the counter when you are physically present, unlike in the US, where they may do it later after you have checked your bags. In this case, you are not present to unlock your luggage lock, and the airport agents have the right to break your luggage lock if it is not a TSA-accepted lock.
Different Types of TSA Accepted Luggage Locks & Their Unique Functions
One of the most common methods thieves use to enter bags with zippers is to split the zipper open with a pen or similar tool, take what they want, and reseal the zipper by sliding the zipper pull over the open portion of the zipper. When your luggage bag is opened in this manner, it leaves no visual clue that your bag was broken into. Double flexible cable technology stops this type of theft. Attach one end of the lock to your bag handle and the other to the zipper pulls. This prevents the traveling of the zipper pulls by keeping them in place. Lock your luggage handle to zipper pulls, or lock your luggage to fixed objects, preventing thieves from repairing zippers after entering the luggage. This TSA lock allows TSA Agents easy access to your suitcase or checked bags without damaging any of your luggage or breaking zippers. This TSA approved luggage lock has a 3-dial resettable combination. Click here to read more!
The SearchAlert indicator button is a feature that lets you know if the TSA has opened your bag while it was out of your possession during the baggage handling process. The indicator light changes from green to red once the TSA inserts their passkey into your lock to unlock it. The window will not go back to green once they removed their passkey, only you can reset the indicator window back to green. The locks are one of the best TSA approved luggage locks because of the SearchAlert feature.
This lock design is probably the easiest to use. A strong, durable, flexible steel cable, (coated in rubber) is designed to thread more easily through the holes in zipper pulls than a hard formed shank. Also, the wider design has dials that are easier to see and use. The combination numbers are on the edge and easier to set and read. Another great feature of this lock is how easy it is to set the combination of the lock with the included screwdriver. Cable locks are thin enough to thread through all standard sized zippers and hard case lock holes but strong enough to protect your belongings. TSA approved luggage lock cable measures 4 in from end to end and has an internal looped length of 1.5 in when locked. Click here to read more!
The SureLock uses an ultra-tough alloy body to protect it from the harshest of baggage handling. The hardened stainless steel internal lock mechanisms won’t rust or freeze up even after years of use. This lock is backed with a complete money-back guarantee. Available in many colors and multi-packs. Click here to read more!
The best feature of this lock set is that the locks are keyed alike, so one key works on either lock. No fumbling trying to find the right key and no remembering of a combination code. The lock body is made of solid brass and the shanks are solid steel. If you need more locks they are also available in a 4 pack that are keyed alike. Lifetime warranty from a company that is synonymous with security. Click here to read more!
An adjustable strap means it fits most luggage tightly. Great forhard-case luggage! The TSA-secured access device can open the lock in case the TSA wishes to inspect your bag. Available in various colors it’s a bright identifier for your luggage so no one else will confuse your bag for theirs at the luggage carousel. Click here to read more!
Buying New Luggage?
Now, you can purchase suitcases with built-in TSA-approved locks. This feature eliminates the chances of you losing a lock during the baggage handling process or otherwise. Another reason to consider a new bag with a built-in TSA lock is that most bags with built-in locks are “hard-sided” and virtually impossible for an opportunistic thief to breach, offering more security for your possessions than soft-sided bags that could be sliced open. Here are a few well-priced, good-value suggestions.
Protecting your possessions and valuables inside your luggage is the purpose of a luggage lock. Buying a good quality lock just makes sense, especially when you compare the cost of your luggage contents to the price of the locks. Depending on your preferences, you can find a lock style that is just right for you. Here is a summary of the various styles of TSA approved luggage locks.
Key Lock: This is a lock that is opened with a key. The good news is you do not need to remember a combination. The bad news is if you lose the key, you’ll need to cut the lock off. This will require bolt cutters or a saw that cuts metal. When traveling think about bringing the second key and keeping it secure (not in your luggage.)
Combination Lock: This style of TSA-approved luggage lock uses either 3 numbers or 4 numbers. If you choose this type of lock you won’t need to worry about a key. This style of lock is the most common one travelers choose. Make sure to select a sturdy lock with easy-to-read dials that are easy to turn. Another easy-use tip is to select a slightly larger lock as it is easier to use than super small locks.
Wordlock: The WordLock luggage lock is locked with words instead of numbers. Words for some people are easier to remember than numbers. The combination is a four-letter word. This lock style is fully TSA-approved, which allows entry and relocking by airport security.
Cable Lock: The benefit of a cable TSA approved luggage lock is easy to use. The cables are rubber-coated flexible steel cables. They are easier to thread through small locks than hard-formed steel shanks.
Beyond Luggage Locks and Checked Bags
Locked bags discourage opportunistic thieves who will take advantage of bags without locks. However, even the most robust locks will not keep out those who are truly determined to break into your bag. That’s why we always recommend that you should place any valuables, including medications, electronics, and jewelry in your carry-on bag and not your checked luggage. If you must place an item of value in your luggage, take photos of it and your bag. It’s also worth investigating various travel and trip insurance policies to see if they cover loss. Airlines typically don’t accept liability for the loss of expensive items such as jewelry, electronic equipment, or fragile souvenirs.
Final thought
After weighing the benefits of traveling with one of the best TSA approved luggage locks or not we suggest you protect your gear with a TSA approved lock.
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If your suitcase arrives smashed or torn, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If it 
on the outside of your bags. Once your bag 
safes to help ensure that pistols or guns if left in vehicles, don’t end up in the wrong hands. Make sure you’re in compliance with your most recent State laws regarding firearm security.
securely, whether at home, at work, or in your car or truck. Look for solutions intended for securing valuables out of sight. If your center console has a large enough capacity you may be able to find a quality car gun safe or 
theft, it can be devastating because it typically includes the theft of passports, wallets or other valuables you keep in your carry-on and are essential for travel. Imagine losing your phone or wallet at the beginning of a trip!
