The summer holidays are just days from winding down, with thousands of British families gearing up to fly home after a week in Spain, Greece, Italy and beyond – their suitcases packed with new clothes, gifts, and trinkets to remember a trip by. But while you may think you have some extra leeway with what you check into your bag, there are a few items you need to watch out for, with travel experts warning that one common mistake often leaves your souvenirs broken and could even lead to a trip to A&E when you start unpacking.
Glass items top the list of risky holiday purchases, from bottles of wine from France to Italian olive oil or even some perfume or glass ornaments; these items are among the most popular to bring home. Yet they are also the most fragile. Too often, they are placed or thrown into our bags, leaving them vulnerable as cases are tossed onto conveyor belts, thrown into aircraft holds and squeezed under heavy luggage.
According to glass experts at Balustrade Superstore, even sturdy-looking glass-like bottles can shatter under pressure, leaving a nasty surprise when you open your suitcase.
A spokesperson added: “Suitcases are thrown onto conveyor belts, stacked in tight holds and squeezed under heavy bags.
“Even a strong piece of glass can break under that sort of pressure if it isn’t packed properly. That doesn’t just mean losing the item – it can leave sharp shards hidden among clothes, creating a real danger when people open their cases.”
While losing an ornament may be annoying, a broken bottle of wine or oil can seep through clothing and ruin tablets, laptops or phones, leaving travellers with hundreds or even thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.
The shards of glass can be hard to sift through safely, a big worry for young children rummaging through bags after they’ve arrived home.
Despite their warnings, it doesn’t mean you should be put off from bringing back some presents. The advice is clear: if you must travel with glass, pack it properly.
Bubble wrap provides the best protection, but in its absence, thick layers of clothing can be used as padding. Items should always be placed in the centre of the suitcase, away from corners and zips where impacts are most likely.
“People often think wrapping glass in a towel is enough,” the expert added, “but towels tend to move around in transit. The best way is to use softer clothing like jumpers or t-shirts and to pack tightly so nothing shifts during the journey.”
Many airports and holiday destinations now sell protective sleeves designed for bottles, but even simple tricks like sliding a bottle into a thick sock before wrapping can make a big difference.
The expert concluded: “Glass can last for decades if treated properly, but it only takes one careless moment for it to shatter.
“Travellers should remember that a suitcase is not a safe place unless the right steps are taken. A few minutes of careful packing can save a lot of damage, money and stress.”
