Whether you’re travelling long haul or hopping on a local flight, keep your luggage safe with one of these nifty locks.
How to keep your luggage safe
As the previous security expert at O.R Thambo International airport, Steve Chart is an authority on luggage safety. He shares some tips from his book, 89 Bags and Counting, on keeping your bags secure.
- Pick an ordinary bag and stay away from blatantly expensive-looking luggage, which are more desired targets.
- Shrinkwrapping your bag in plastic doesn’t guarantee its safety. Steve recommends you secure your bag with a bright luggage strap (see below) – any tampering will be apparent and can then be investigated.
- Check your bag at the carousel. If it’s has been pilfered report it before leaving the airport.
For more on luggage pilfering read 89 Bags and Counting, R165 from most book stores or contact Jacana Media.
These are our favourite locks, but we highly recommend luggage straps as being the most effective, do you have any tips for keeping your luggage secure?
1. Strap it on
R268,99
Lock your bag and make it easily identifiable with the Samsonite lockable luggage strap. Made from seatbelt-like material, the 182 cm adjustable snap-lock buckle will keep your bag secure. The combination lock is easy to use as the numbers click firmly into place.
Find a stockist at www.samsonite.co.za.
2. Seriously secure
R167, yalesecuritypoint.co.za
The heavy-duty combination-code Yale TSA Luggage Strap is available in red and grey and makes your bag look like a safe.
3. Word nerd
R150, from an AA retail outlet or order at wordlock.com.
Use the WordLock and you don’t have to worry about forgetting a numerical code – this combination lock requires a five-letter word to open. It’s made from steel, so is hardier than the other locks featured here, but the bar will be too thick to lock through smaller zips, so check it against your luggage before purchasing.
4. Budget buy
R120, Cape Union Mart.
The Cape Union Cable 3-Dial Combination Lock‘s steel thread easily loops through luggage zips and is Travel Sentry Approved (TSA is a compulsory feature for travelling to the USA so airport security can unlock your bag). It’s made from durable cast zinc alloyed construction and is ergonomically designed for easy to hold use.
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