As I wandered the racks of Unclaimed Luggage, a shopping wonderland where lost luggage goes to observe new homes merely outside 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 up their valuables in their checked bags? Didn't they know the TSA rules?

There are just some things you should never pack away and risk never seeing over again. While some are obvious (or and then you lot would call up), others aren't, so let's showtime with the basics.

1. Electronics

Electronic devices

Any item of value should never be checked into the belly of a plane. Minor digital cameras, DSLR cameras, video cameras, laptops, Kindles, iPads, cell phones and even portable hard drives are all included in this category. If you would exist sad to lose it, don't cheque information technology. Deport it in a backpack or purse onto the plane.

If you lot have these items in your carry-on suitcase and you're asked to check it, take them out. I in one case unpacked half of a behave-on suitcase into a backpack because I was forced to check my bag. I tried to explain that it was filled with camera gear—the flight coiffure didn't intendance. I always pack an Eagle Creek Packable Day Pack just in case I need an extra purse on the route. Information technology has come in handy more than in one case at the aerodrome.

Related: 9 Deport-On Packing Mistakes You Should Never Make

2. Makeup

Makeup bag

Pack your makeup bag in your behave-on pocketbook, especially for international flights or if you lot have multiple connections. Items that aren't easily replaced (i.e. that mineral powder information technology took you two years of research to finally settle on) should always be carried on the aeroplane.

3. Jewelry

Watch and gold jewelry

Costume jewelry aside, if it has some bling, brand sure your jewelry stays with you lot. Never, ever take off your diamonds at TSA security and put them through the security screener or these precious gems may go missing. These items volition not set off the metallic detector. You are rubber to wear appointment rings, diamond stud earrings, tennis bracelets, necklaces, what have you.

About recently, the squad at Unclaimed Baggage constitute a seven-carat diamond ring in a lost checked purse. Someone actually packed a gorgeous, very pricey diamond ring that they were never able to find again. Don't be that person. We tin only presume a guy was nigh to suggest, and was trying to keep information technology a secret. Information technology's astonishing how many diamond engagement rings find their fashion to Unclaimed Baggage via checked bags.

The lesson here—bring your valuable jewelry with yous. Even if it has no value to someone else, simply it has value to y'all, pack your jewelry in your carry-on numberless. Grandma can't come up dorsum to requite you another broach that has been passed downwards through four generations.

Related: x Surprising Things That Can Go Confiscated at Customs

4. Medications

Weekly pill box

Prescriptions are one of the elevation things the airline asks you lot to take out of your carry-on bag when they inquire you to check your bag. This is for good reason. In the cargo agree, these medications can go too hot, too cold, or they may get lost in transit. Many people travel with prescriptions they must take every mean solar day. Information technology's up to you to make sure you take them, not the airline. Keep them with you at all times. The airline cannot split up you from your medications if they are in your smaller carry-on backpack or handbag.

5. Lovies

Teddy bear peeking out of suitcase

Oh, those beloved animals or snuggly lovies our children adore. If your kid has a "Froggie" like mine, the earth would end if it was lost. Although we have two, if we arrived at our destination without one, our trip could be ruined and no 1 would slumber that night. Froggie is a member of our family. You lot don't bank check members of your family in cargo. You carry them with love onto the airplane. Pack those special friends in your child's haversack, diaper bag or your own bag so you lot always know where it is. Our extra "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.

half-dozen. Baby Gear

Baby holding pacifier

Diapers, baby formula, wipes, as well as whatsoever other necessities should be thrown into the diaper pocketbook or backpack, and y'all volition want plenty to last you at least 24 to 48 hours. Delays happen. Airports don't always have baby items available in the shops. Even worse, the shops may exist closed past the time your flying is cancelled.

Formula and pacifiers are very specific to each child. Don't get stuck because you checked everything you lot need for your little ane in your checked pocketbook. The airline won't always requite your purse back just considering your flight got delayed or cancelled and yous have to sleep in a hotel overnight. If you pack smart, you won't be stuck with a soggy kid and fifty-fifty crankier parents.

Related: ten All-time Umbrella Strollers for Travel

seven. Change of Clothes

Clothes

Speaking of soggy babies (and their parents), e'er pack a change of clothes for the entire family when you fly. You just never know when you'll accept diaper failure, a juice box explosion or someone volition experience a fleck of air sickness on that flight. For every parent who thinks they have a child who is the best traveler, there'due south another parent beyond the aisle grinning and saying "I told you so" when that perfect kid is throwing upwardly all over their father (information technology's true).

No matter your child'southward age, accidents happen. From the fourth dimension my boys were iii months quondam I have been peed on, pooped on, spit up on, and had entire cups of water/apple tree juice/ginger ale dumped on me. If you can't stand up to overpack, at the very least pack an extra shirt. My married man, who has dealt with the worst of our kids' accidents in flight, packs a consummate wardrobe modify, and we withal pack outfits for both children, too.

Best instance scenario, you never use it and you have actress clothes at your destination. Worst instance scenario, y'all have to use that outfit because of an accident. Aren't you now glad that you had it and no one is sitting in a puddle of something you lot have to explicate to the flight attendant?

viii. Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries

Have you lot always wondered WHY y'all need to accept uninstalled lithium batteries out of your checked bag, or that power pack out of your new fancy suitcase? It's pretty simple—fire. At that place is a take a chance that a lithium battery could combust. According to ConsumerReports.org, "the potential for a bombardment with unprotected electrodes to come in contact with a loose metallic object and curt out, causing it to ignite" is the actual trouble. Although installed batteries are also a chance, equally lithium batteries tin heat up, they are still technically allowed to exist stowed in the cargo concur if they are installed in your laptop. Nevertheless, we suggest you pack all valuable electronics in your behave-on handbag whenever immune. It's just good mutual sense.

Keryn Means lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her husband, two boys and one fluffy little pup. She is an award-winning travel announcer with bylines on Thrillist.com, Travel Age West and more than, and loves to talk travel on ABC's Skilful Morning Washington. You can find Keryn dragging her two boys around the DC area most days and beyond the globe several times a year. Follow along on their adventures on WalkingOnTravels.com  and on Instagram .

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