Travel experts issue airport luggage warning to anyone with a tag on their suitcase
Packing your luggage for the airport is one of those monotonous tasks that we all have to endure before having the privilege of a holiday in the sun or a luxury weekend break in a city rich with culture.
And with the Easter holidays fast approaching, it is set to be a busy time for millions of Brits flying out of the United Kingdom.
If you're just taking your hand luggage with you, best be aware of the current state of play when it comes to the 100ml liquid rules and limits that are undergoing a radical change.
There's also a warning that has come via airport baggage handlers focusing on suitcases and why you should be wary of attaching a ribbon or similar garment (or even a GoPro) to the bag for identification reasons.
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The latest warning when it comes to suitcases has been provided by experts in the team over at 1st Move International removals, and it concerns the tags you put on your luggage.
And with more than 2.3 million posts on TikTok about luggage tags, buying bespoke ones, and what to include on them, the timing could not be more appropriate.
"When creating luggage tags for your suitcases, it’s crucial to balance providing essential contact information with protecting your personal security," Mike Harvey, managing director at 1st Move International, told us.
As a result, he issued a nifty guide on what information you should be putting on your luggage tags.
And equally as important, he has explained why you should definitely not include certain bits of knowledge and the reasons for leaving this off.
What to include on your luggage tag
First up, make sure you put your full name on the tag.
"Use your full name as it appears on your passport," Harvey says.
"This helps assist airline staff in locating and safely returning your belongings if they go missing."
Also get that phone number written down. In doing this, make sure you note down your country code so that the call actually comes through if you're not in the same country as the lost luggage.
An email address is also handy. Harvey says: Include an email address for additional contact, especially for international trips. Consider using a separate travel email address to keep it distinct from your personal one."
Information to avoid putting on your luggage tag
Do not put your home address down. It seems obvious, but it is for your privacy and security.
You simply don't know who might find your suitcase should it get lost. Contact information is enough in this case.
It's also worth keeping details of valuables off of it.
"Avoid mentioning any valuable items inside your suitcase to prevent drawing unwanted attention," Harvey says.
Your travel plans and destinations should also not be written down, with Harvey explaining: "Keep your travel itinerary and destination details private to prevent misuse of your information."
On a similar basis, sensitive information should not be included. He said: "To protect your personal identity, refrain from including personal identification numbers such as national insurance or passport numbers. This includes avoiding details of travel insurance policy numbers."
Tom Earnshaw