For years, Brits have been taking travel precautions in the horror event of losing your luggage.
Some of us, who are a slightly more superstitious than others, will even wack on a very colourful travel belt with the hopes that nothing awful will happen.
Meanwhile, more sensible people will put a travel tag with their name, number and address on it, so someone can get in touch if it gets misplaced.
However, passengers have actually been warned against doing so.
Leaving your address on your travel card might be doing more harm than good. (Getty Stock Images)
The danger of leaving your address on your luggage tag
“Don’t list your home address on luggage tags,” a travel expert told USA Today, reportsThe Sun.
“Play it safe by using electronic luggage tags, or by listing only your basic contact information on a luggage tag.
“Virtually everyone within an airport can see the information written on your suitcase tag, so limiting the personal information while providing enough for the airline to return lost luggage is key.”
The expert warned that you might lose a lot more than your luggage if you do so.
“Most experts agree that if you can avoid listing your home address, you will be less likely to be targeted for a robbery while you are away,” they added.
Lost luggage is always a pain. (Getty Stock Images)
Frequent flyer Richard Clive Rowlands also suggested: “Don’t put a residential address on luggage tags as it says ‘This house is empty, please burgle – and take your time’.
“Don’t put a friend’s house either because the burglars don’t know it’s a friend’s house and will still burgle it – ideally put a work address and mobile number on it.”
Instead, take a photo of your bag
By taking a photo of your bag, you can help the authorities locate your missing luggage.
Hachi Ko, who has visited more than 200 countries, said: “Take a photo of your luggage, then put it onto a word processor document with your contact details and the dimensions of your luggage.
“If you ever lose your luggage, you can hand this to lost luggage when you arrive and, even if they don’t speak your language they have everything they need to find your luggage.”
Use a business card
Former Royal Air Force Pilot Jonathan Breeze has suggested an alternative safety measure in the event of losing your luggage.
He said: “Always put at least one business card inside the case – that way, the airline can track you down and give you the bag back.
“Name, Number, Email and you are back in business.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images