Every bit I wandered the racks of Unclaimed Baggage, a shopping wonderland where lost luggage goes to detect new homes just exterior of Huntsville, Alabama, I marveled at the number of Kindles, laptops, cameras, and yes, even diamond rings, in the display cases. Who were these people who were packing upward their valuables in their checked numberless? Didn't they know the TSA rules?

In that location are merely some things you should never pack abroad and risk never seeing once more. While some are obvious (or so you would call up), others aren't, and then allow's first with the basics.

1. Electronics

Electronic devices

Any item of value should never be checked into the belly of a plane. Small digital cameras, DSLR cameras, video cameras, laptops, Kindles, iPads, prison cell phones and even portable hard drives are all included in this category. If you would exist distressing to lose it, don't check it. Carry it in a haversack or pocketbook onto the plane.

If you lot accept these items in your carry-on suitcase and you're asked to check it, take them out. I once unpacked one-half of a conduct-on suitcase into a backpack because I was forced to cheque my bag. I tried to explicate that it was filled with camera gear—the flying crew didn't care. I always pack an Eagle Creek Packable Day Pack only in instance I demand an extra bag on the route. It has come up in handy more once at the airdrome.

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2. Makeup

Makeup bag

Pack your makeup handbag in your bear-on pocketbook, especially for international flights or if you lot have multiple connections. Items that aren't easily replaced (i.e. that mineral pulverization it took you two years of inquiry to finally settle on) should always be carried on the airplane.

three. Jewelry

Watch and gold jewelry

Costume jewelry bated, if it has some bling, brand sure your jewelry stays with y'all. Never, always take off your diamonds at TSA security and put them through the security screener or these precious gems may go missing. These items will not ready off the metal detector. You are prophylactic to habiliment date rings, diamond stud earrings, lawn tennis bracelets, necklaces, what have you.

Most recently, the squad at Unclaimed Baggage establish a seven-carat diamond ring in a lost checked bag. Someone really packed a gorgeous, very pricey diamond band that they were never able to observe again. Don't be that person. Nosotros can only assume a guy was nigh to propose, and was trying to keep it a secret. It's astonishing how many diamond engagement rings detect their way to Unclaimed Baggage via checked numberless.

The lesson here—bring your valuable jewelry with you. Even if it has no value to someone else, but it has value to yous, pack your jewelry in your carry-on bags. Grandma tin't come dorsum to give you another broach that has been passed down through four generations.

Related: 10 Surprising Things That Can Get Confiscated at Customs

four. Medications

Weekly pill box

Prescriptions are i of the top things the airline asks you to accept out of your carry-on bag when they ask you to check your bag. This is for practiced reason. In the cargo hold, these medications tin can get too hot, besides common cold, or they may go lost in transit. Many people travel with prescriptions they must take every twenty-four hour period. Information technology's up to you lot to make sure you have them, not the airline. Keep them with you at all times. The airline cannot separate you from your medications if they are in your smaller deport-on backpack or purse.

v. Lovies

Teddy bear peeking out of suitcase

Oh, those beloved animals or snuggly lovies our children admire. If your child has a "Froggie" like mine, the world would end if it was lost. Although we have 2, if we arrived at our destination without one, our trip could exist ruined and no one would sleep that night. Froggie is a member of our family. You don't check members of your family in cargo. You deport them with dear onto the plane. Pack those special friends in your child's backpack, diaper purse or your own handbag and so y'all e'er know where it is. Our actress "Froggie" is e'er in my purse for emergencies, while my son carries his own for snuggles during takeoff, landing, and naps on the plane.

6. Baby Gear

Baby holding pacifier

Diapers, baby formula, wipes, too as any other necessities should exist thrown into the diaper bag or backpack, and you will desire enough to final y'all at least 24 to 48 hours. Delays happen. Airports don't always have babe items bachelor in the shops. Even worse, the shops may be airtight by the time your flight is cancelled.

Formula and pacifiers are very specific to each child. Don't go stuck because you checked everything you lot need for your little one in your checked bag. The airline won't e'er give your bag back but considering your flight got delayed or cancelled and you have to sleep in a hotel overnight. If you pack smart, you won't be stuck with a soggy child and even crankier parents.

Related: 10 Best Umbrella Strollers for Travel

7. Change of Apparel

Clothes

Speaking of soggy babies (and their parents), always pack a modify of clothes for the unabridged family unit when you fly. You just never know when you'll take diaper failure, a juice box explosion or someone will experience a bit of air sickness on that flying. For every parent who thinks they have a child who is the best traveler, there'southward another parent across the aisle grinning and saying "I told yous so" when that perfect kid is throwing up all over their father (information technology'southward truthful).

No affair your child's age, accidents happen. From the time my boys were three months quondam I have been peed on, pooped on, spit up on, and had entire cups of water/apple juice/ginger ale dumped on me. If you tin't stand to overpack, at the very least pack an extra shirt. My hubby, who has dealt with the worst of our kids' accidents in flying, packs a consummate wardrobe change, and we still pack outfits for both children, likewise.

Best case scenario, you never use it and you have extra dress at your destination. Worst case scenario, y'all have to use that outfit because of an accident. Aren't y'all now glad that y'all had it and no one is sitting in a pool of something y'all have to explicate to the flying bellboy?

eight. Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries

Have y'all ever wondered WHY you need to take uninstalled lithium batteries out of your checked pocketbook, or that power pack out of your new fancy suitcase? It'due south pretty simple—fire. There is a take chances that a lithium battery could combust. According to ConsumerReports.org, "the potential for a battery with unprotected electrodes to come in contact with a loose metal object and short out, causing it to ignite" is the actual problem. Although installed batteries are also a adventure, every bit lithium batteries can heat up, they are yet technically immune to exist stowed in the cargo hold if they are installed in your laptop. All the same, nosotros propose you pack all valuable electronics in your carry-on bag whenever allowed. It's but good mutual sense.

Keryn Ways lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her husband, ii boys and 1 fluffy little pup. She is an award-winning travel journalist with bylines on Thrillist.com, Travel Age West and more, and loves to talk travel on ABC'due south Good Morning time Washington. You can detect Keryn dragging her two boys effectually the DC surface area most days and across the globe several times a year. Follow forth on their adventures on WalkingOnTravels.com  and on Instagram .

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