Flying With Gifts? Five Things You Should Know

PITTSBURGH, PA - If you’re flying to visit friends and family and bringing them gifts this holiday season, the Transportation Security Administration has these tips that can make your journey through the security checkpoint easier.

• Wrapped gifts: Allowed but not encouraged. TSA officials insist they aren’t as unfriendly as the Heat Miser. But the gifts might have to be unwrapped and if there’s something that needs to be inspected, TSA officers might have to open it. TSA officers will try not to mangle the wrapping paper but offer no guarantees.

• Snow globes: Need to comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule if wish to take it in your carry-on bag. Larger snow globe should be packed in your checked bag. If you’re unsure if the snow globe contains 3.4 ounces of liquid or more, if it’s smaller than a tennis ball, it probably is 3.4 ounces or less.

• Toys: Water guns, toy guns, toy swords and other items that resemble real firearms or other weapons can look just like the real thing in an X-ray. That can lead to evacuations and delays while explosives professionals try to resolve the alarm. Please pack these types of toys in your checked bag or ship them to their destination.

• Fruitcake, cookies or other holiday treats: If the food item is a solid (i.e.: ham, turkey, cake, pie, cookies), you can pack it in your carry-on bag. If the food item is spreadable or pourable, then it must also follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule to travel in a carry-on bag.

• Batteries in gifts: There are strict guidelines on what can and can’t be taken onto a plane. Read about what types of batteries you can travel with.

Photo: Associated Press.