Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe visit ...

Travel

Vigilance at the airport, and the adoption of these 'self-help' precautions over your luggage, may prevent your travel and holiday from getting off to a bad start.

NEVER ...

• Leave your home address displayed on the outside of suitcases.  This is an open invitation to burglars to break in to your home during your absence.
• If it would make you feel more comfortable, put your bank's address in the label.
• Pack jewellery, cash, vital medicines, important documents and any other valuables, in the luggage to be checked in.  Have them with you at all times.
• Over-pack your case, or put dangerous items in it - like gas cylinders, lighter fuel or matches.
• Advertise your credit-worthiness by attaching to your suitcase the plastic tags that resemble cards, like American Express.

ALWAYS ...

• Lock your bags.
• buy the most robust suitcase that you can afford.
• Make it conspicuous by putting your own personal mark on it.
• Remember the suitcases colour and size.
• Carry a list of the contents with you.
• Put your address (home and away) inside your suitcase, and your identity tag (now compulsory on European airlines), on the outside.