The first step to protect your luggage is to stay with it as long as possible. Before you check your luggage at the airport, do not leave it unattended even for a minute. If you need to step away from it, ask a family member to keep an eye on it. If you are traveling alone, check your luggage first.

Make sure you have an identification tag on the outside of your luggage. As a backup measure, put your name and address on a tag inside the bag. If the ID tag on the outside gets lost, you will still have your information inside.

Many suitcases look the same. You need to make yours stand out from the crowd. Tie color ribbons on the handle, or use colored tape to mark your bags. You want to be able to spot your bags as soon as possible so that no one else takes them by accident.

Keep an eye out and be aware of your surroundings. Carry your medications in your purse just in case your luggage gets lost or stolen. Have a safe trip!

Be realistic about what you are going to need. Weed out “extra” and “just in case” clothes. These additions are usually unnecessary and “just in case” clothes can easily be purchased no matter where your final destination is. Buy what you need if you need it, and don’t worry about packing extra.

Use plastic storage bags with zippers to combine similar items. Instead of rooting around a suitcase for a pair of socks, put all of your socks in a zippered bag so it easy to find what you need. Plastic storage bags come in a variety of sizes and are perfect for small to medium sized items. Also, use plastic storage bags for toiletries to keep lotions and shampoos from leaking onto clothing.

Roll t-shirts to fill the spaces on the sides of the luggage. This used to be reserved for a couple pairs of socks or for undergarments, but now they are organized in bags. Rolled clothing takes up little space and it actually keeps clothes from wrinkling.

Following these tips for packing will ensure that you have plenty of room for the things you need and for the inevitable souvenirs that come home with you.