Glow sticks are delightful, and can be used for many purposes, like halloween, parties, camping, scuba diving and even concerts, as they are fascinating and glowing.
But what about taking these colorful and glowing tubes on airplanes.
Glow sticks are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage, but when packed in carry-on they must be placed in a quart sized bag along with other liquids and toiletries.
Keep reading to know more about taking glow sticks on your next flight.
Let’s dive right in
Taking glow sticks through the TSA security checkpoint
The TSA ( Transportation Security Administration) stated that glow sticks are allowed through the security checkpoint but they need to adhere to the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule.
All liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage need to be in small containers or bottles of volume no more than 100 ml (3.4 oz), placed in a transparent quart size bag.
The TSA liquid rule
Glow sticks have a substance inside which is called Dibutyl Phthalate (an oily liquid), therefore; the TSA liquid rule will apply for carry-on luggage only even though the liquid inside is not a large quantity .
Here is what the TSA has to say about traveling with glow sticks on their website.
You will need to place your glow sticks along with your toiletries in a quart sized bag, before going through the TSA checkpoint.
Which is not a good idea if you wanted o fit all of your toiletries inside your quart sized bag.
Can You Take Glow Sticks In Checked Luggage?
The best way to travel with glow sticks is in a checked bag.
There are no restrictions on taking glow sticks in checked luggage, also no rules on the amount of glowing sticks you can place inside your checked bag as long as you take them for personal use and you are within your airline luggage weight limits.
There are no restrictions on liquids in checked luggage unless they are flammable or dangerous items.
Keep in mind that items placed in checked baggage are more prone to be broken, lost or even stolen, so make sure that your glow sticks are well protected and secured.
It is advised to secure them with a plastic bag along with their original packaging, and place them somewhere accessible.
Don’t place them in the bottom of your suitcase, in case the airport security needs to inspect the bag.
How Many Glow Sticks Can You Take On a Plane?
As we already mentioned there are no limits to the number of glow sticks you can bring in checked luggage for personal use, especially on domestic flights, but for carry-on luggage you can bring as many as your quart size bag fits.
For international flights, traveling with large amounts may cause customs to suspect that you are doing business.
Only companies with legal permission are allowed to import large amounts of goods from other countries, but if you want to take such a risk, there is more chance that your products will be confiscated.
So just bring a reasonable quantity and you will have no concerns.
Will Glow Sticks Explode On Airplanes?
Some items may be a tool for people to have fun but some other bad guys may take advantage of it to use it as a threat to the safety of others, especially with some liquids nowadays.
However glow sticks are totally safe the TSA allows only 3.4 oz in carry on luggage.
Even though glow sticks consist of chemicals they won’t explode unless the substance inside them is ignited.
Glow sticks contain Hydrogen Peroxide solution which is inside the glass tube and Phenyl Oxalate Ester and the fluorescent Dye solution, meaning both of the materials are separated, but if you do break the glass tube inside and shake the glow stick it will start the reaction and glowing. But they won’t cause any explosion.
The glow sticks sometimes may burst open under pressure but they are not flammable and won’t make a fire.
We have checked Twitter to see some responses from the TSA about traveling with glow sticks in both carry on and checked luggage and here are some of the answers we found.
Danielle asked the TSA about this pack of glow party sticks if they are allowed in her carry on bag because she won’t be traveling with any checked bags.
The AskTSA replied that “Since glow sticks have liquids, they must be in 3.4oz or less and placed in a single quart-sized bag along with other liquids, toiletries, gels and aerosols.”
Amber asked the TSA if she can bring these tubes of glow sticks inside her carry on bag.
The AskTSA customer service replied that glow sticks are allowed in carry-on bags, without even mentioning the TSA liquid rule, and that indicates if you are traveling with only a few sticks you won’t have any issues with the TSA officers.
Chuck wonders if there are any restrictions on glow sticks and laundry soap in checked luggage.
The TSA customer service gave him the green light that both items are allowed in checked bags without any restrictions.
Final Thoughts
Glow sticks are allowed in both carry on and checked luggage, if you want to take them in your carry on luggage just place them inside a quart sized bag along with your liquids, gels and aerosols, if you don’t have toiletries, you can still use any small bag.
On the other hand you can take them in your checked bag without any problem, as they are not flammable or will be dangerous when transported in the hold.
Glow sticks are safe to travel within both in the ground and in the air.
Happy travels
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