One item you should never put on your suitcase or risk losing your belongings
As British holidaymakers gear up for their summer breaks, security experts are sounding the alarm over a common travel practice that could potentially lead to substantial losses at home. Last year saw three-quarters of UK adults jetting off abroad, a trend expected to continue through this summer season.
Concurrently, there's been a spike in luggage loss incidents, with airlines misplacing 33.4 million bags in 2024. To combat this issue, many passengers opt to put their full home address on their luggage tags, aiming to facilitate the return of lost items.
Yet, security professionals caution that this good intention might inadvertently invite burglars by signalling that your house is vacant. "Putting a residential address on your luggage is basically saying 'this house is empty, help yourself'," cautions Carlos Dhunay, a home security specialist and director at Telcam Security Solutions, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Large parts of the UK experienced 226,489 reported burglaries in the year ending March 2024, with empty properties being particularly vulnerable to theft. The pertinence of this advice is underscored by the fact that TikTok searches for "how to put on luggage tag" have surged to 86,000 within a single week.
Carlos recommends omitting the home address from luggage tags entirely. "Instead, use a mobile number, an email address, or even your workplace," he suggests. "That way, airline staff can still get in touch if needed, but you're not advertising that your house is unoccupied."
He also suggests a proactive approach, such as taking photos of your luggage and noting its make, size, and any unique features. This can expedite the recovery process if your bag goes missing.
How to safeguard your home whilst you're on holiday:
Besides avoiding the luggage tag pitfall, Carlos advises taking additional measures to protect your property while you're away. He says: "Leaving a light on 24/7 can actually signal that you're not home. Instead, use smart lights or timers to simulate normal activity patterns. Motion-activated lights and other outdoor security lighting are also effective at deterring potential burglars.
"Before jetting off, ensure to pause milk, newspaper and other deliveries as a pile-up is one of the most obvious signs of an empty house. Speaking of deliveries, ask a neighbour to keep an eye out for any post. The Royal Mail also provides a 'keepsafe' service, which holds mail until you return home.
"Tools and ladders should be securely locked away, as burglars could utilise them to break into your house. Avoid discussing holiday dates or duration in public or around strangers. And, if you plan to use an "out of office" at work, don't mention that your house will be vacant."
He adds: "Ask a trusted mate or family member to check in while you're away. Opening and closing curtains, switching on lights and watering the garden can create the illusion that your home is occupied.
"Never advertise on social media that you are away - wait until you're home to post. There are more than 16.3 million uploads from airports, revealing potentially dangerous information about holiday location and duration, and these may be seen by potential burglars."
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