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There’s only one safe space to store your hand luggage on a plane – and it’s not above your head
And three ways to keep yourself safe when boarding a plane
A TRAVEL security expert has revealed why you should never store your bag in the overhead locker above your seat.
While you may think this is the safest spot, there is actually a better place to put it to keep your valuables safe.
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Carolyn Pearson, CEO and Founder of travel safety company , said passengers should use the overhead lockers that are on the opposite aisle to their seat.
Carolyn told Sun Online Travel: "Try to avoid storing larger cabin bags in the overhead lockers above your seat, instead store them in the locker opposite your seat.
"If someone starts rummaging in the overhead locker above your head, who is really going to stand up trying to see what they're doing.
"If the bag is opposite, you'll be able to see what's going on the entire time."
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Cabin thefts are more common than people think - and thieves usually go for the bags filled with valuables such as wallets, laptops, cameras, cash and passports.
In addition to providing training to hotel employers and their employees, Carolyn also shares safety tips, tricks, hacks, and advice with holidaymakers.
Her other advice includes not giving out information on the hotel phone in your room as well as never reading out your room number at reception.
Meanwhile, Carolyn isn't the only safety expert who recommends storing larger hand luggage items in the opposite bins.
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Earlier this year, travel expert Jonathan Frankham, General Manager UK at World Nomads Travel Insurance, also encouraged holidaymakers to do the same.
He told Sun Online Travel: "Store larger bags in overhead lockers to keep them safe.
The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying hand luggage only
"If the space is available, it can be useful to place them across the aisle so you can easily see if anyone is foraging through them who shouldn't be."
Storing bags in the overhead locker that's opposite, prevents thieves from nosing through luggage.
Jonathan also advised to keep mobiles, wallets, passports and cash in your pockets always in sight - and avoid leaving them unattended in any case.
"The best practice is to use a secure waist pouch or carry them in your pocket.
"Avoid leaving them unattended altogether and always keep them in sight. This not only minimises the risk of theft but also ensures that insurance claims are not negatively impacted due to negligence."
Store cabin bags in the locker opposite your seat
It's not just passengers who should be weary about their items getting nicked.
Last month, cabin crew member Paula Gahan revealed how passengers have been known to steal food from flight attendants.
She said: "It’s a funny old phenomenon on aircraft, any food that’s sitting around, even if it’s in a lunch box, seems to be fair game to passengers.
"They come in and swipe it. Yes, the passengers will steal your food without an ounce of shame.
"It’s like some unwritten rule, if it’s visible in the galley and edible, I can take it."
Those holidaymakers who want to avoid the hassle and the additional cost of travelling with a larger cabin bag, will be on the hunt for a spacious underseat bag.
Earlier this month, Sun Travel revealed their go-to under-the-seat cabin bags, with prices starting from just £9.99.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Safety mistakes when boarding planes
Passengers also make these safety mistakes when getting on board our planes
Not charging devices
Sometimes airline staff might ask you to prove your phone, or any other device, works as expected.
This is to show us that it's actually a phone and not just a phone case hiding something sinister or banned.
If you're unable to prove your device works, we have the right to take your phone off you and force you to leave it behind at the airport.
It's either that, or you don't board with it - those are your options.
Vaping on board
This is really stupid - imagine the panic you could cause by creating a billow of smoke in the plane cabin.
A lot of people think they can get away with vaping, but the smoke is so thick and often comes with a pungent aroma that we're more often than not going to catch you in the act.
Storing electric devices in the overhead bins
This is a huge fire risk and you should never do it. Phones, vapes and other devices should be in your personal bag under the seat in front of you, if it has to be on the plane at all.
If the batteries crack in a certain way, they can very easily start fires and that's the last thing you want to happen in a metal tube 40,000 feet in the sky.
Meanwhile, three major airlines have cut carry-on baggage, leaving passengers out of pocket.
And you should never pack this common household item in your hand luggage.
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