A travel expert has explained how thieves get into bags with many heading abroad this summer. And as well as how they do it, they also explained how you can stop them.
According to Sarah Adekola, a TikTok user who goes by @millennialwealthsarah, it is possible to break into a bag using a simple and common item we all have lying around - a pen, reports the Mirror.
In a recent clip she shows just how easy it is to get into a locked suitcase using just a pen which is forced into the zipper and then pushed through. By doing this, it creates a gap between the two edges of the zip which can lead to the whole bag being opened up by running the zip pull over it - even if there is a padlock attached.
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Sarah explains: "First never pick suitcases with zippers like this because people are literally stealing your stuff with just a pen. Basically what people are doing is they're taking their pen and they are literally just pushing in between there.
"And they're getting into your suitcase. Then what they do is when you have a padlock they are going to go over it (the hole) and you would never know."
After showing how easily certain suitcases can be broken into, the travel expert explains what qualities she looks for in a travel bag. Sarah recommends going for darker coloured suitcases in either grey and black, and ones made from harder materials rather than soft, squishy bags.
As well as this, the TikToker also suggest that when shopping for a new suitcase, always goes for one with wheels as they're easier to move. And in even better news, you can buy ones without any zippers, Sarah said.
"I would also go for suitcase brands that give me a lifetime warranty or at least five years," she added.
If you are also concerned about how well treated your bag will be after you've said goodbye to it at the check-in desk, then you may want to consider slapping on a 'fragile' sticker.
According to news.com.au, asking for one for your luggage could not only earn the bag gentler treatment, it could also speed up your wait time when it comes to the baggage carousel, as the sticker will affect the order in which your bags are packed onto the plane.
Baggage tagged as being fragile will go into the plane last, which means it comes out the other side first, which equals less time to wait at the dreaded carousel.
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