15 Items That Could Get Your Luggage Flagged Instantly

Tossing something in your suitcase without thinking could cost you more than a delayed flight. Some items spark trouble before takeoff, literally. Skim through this list to make sure your packing routine doesn’t land you on the wrong side of airport security.

Strike-Anywhere Matches

A single spark from friction can ignite strike-anywhere matches, which makes them extremely risky in checked bags. Unlike safety matches, their ability to light on almost any surface creates a real hazard during flight. That’s why they’re strictly prohibited by all airlines.

Camping Stoves With Fuel Residue

Fuel left in camping stoves creates a hidden fire hazard. Even tiny amounts of residual fuel can ignite under pressure changes during flight. Travelers often forget to empty stoves completely, increasing the risk of accidents in the cargo hold.

Fireworks, Explosives, And Flares

Explosives like fireworks and flares contain chemicals that can detonate unexpectedly under changes in pressure or temperature. Even small quantities can lead to catastrophic fires or explosions. For passenger safety, these items never make it onto planes in checked luggage.

Dry Ice (Over 5.5 Lbs)

Packed in bulk, dry ice changes into gas, and the carbon dioxide can cause pressure to build up inside enclosed luggage. This gas lowers oxygen levels in the cargo hold, creating a dangerous environment. Strict limits exist on how much dry ice travelers can bring.

Household Bleach And Cleaning Chemicals

Strong cleaning agents, such as bleach, can leak during flights and damage luggage or other cargo. Their corrosive nature also poses health risks through skin or eye contact. Most are banned in all luggage, though non-hazardous cleaners like disinfectant wipes may be allowed in sealed containers. 

High-Proof Alcohol (Over 70% ABV)

Very strong alcohol ignites easily when it meets heat or sparks. Its quick, intense burn leads airlines to limit how many passengers can be brought on board. Passengers must declare these beverages and handle them carefully for everyone’s safety.

Smart Luggage With Non-Removable Batteries

Luggage with built-in batteries that cannot be removed creates a fire risk if those batteries become damaged. Without a way to disconnect power, any short circuit inside the bag can go unnoticed until it becomes a serious problem.

Pepper Spray And Bear Spray

Pepper spray poses serious risks in flight due to its pressurized canister and chemical irritants. Leaks or explosions could endanger others onboard. It’s only allowed in checked bags—one 4-oz container, if permitted. Bear spray is typically banned from both carry-ons and checked luggage.

Paints, Thinners, And Solvents

Certain paints, thinners, and solvents emit flammable vapors that accumulate inside sealed containers. In the confined, pressurized space of a cargo hold, these vapors could ignite, posing a serious fire threat. This risk leads to their ban on checked luggage on commercial flights.

Mercury Thermometers And Barometers

Mercury is a toxic liquid metal that can leak if a thermometer or barometer breaks, making exposure to mercury vapor harmful to health and the environment. These devices require special packaging and usually must be shipped as hazardous material, not packed in suitcases.

Insecticides And Pesticides

Some pest control chemicals release harmful fumes that stay in small, enclosed spaces. When these substances leak, they pose serious health risks to everyone nearby. Special rules and careful handling are necessary to keep air travel safe.

Magnetized Materials

Devices or materials with intense magnetic fields require careful control during transport. Strong magnets can disrupt airplane instruments, causing navigation or communication errors. Their interference risk makes them unsuitable for checked baggage, where monitoring is limited.

Scuba Tanks And Compressed Gas Cylinders

Pressurized tanks may explode if exposed to sudden temperature changes or physical shocks during travel. Even empty tanks often contain leftover gas that can cause serious issues inside the cargo area. These items require special packing and handling.

Torch-Style Lighters

Lighters producing a torch flame burn hotter than typical lighters, generating intense heat that can trigger fires when packed with other items. These lighters can be mistaken for regular ones, but their dangerous potential keeps them off all checked bags worldwide.

Hoverboards And Electric Scooters

Electric scooters and hoverboards contain lithium-ion batteries that may short-circuit if damaged, and battery fires are extremely difficult to control onboard. Many incidents have been reported where these devices sparked fires, raising concerns about their safety in checked luggage.