Why washing your hands at the airport could get you flagged by security
One of the worst parts of travelling is having to go through airport security.
Long lines, people getting confused by the rules, and fed-up security agents make it all a pretty unpleasant experience.
And that's even without something random in your bag being flagged for no reason.
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Airport security is never fun. Getty
Particular items can set off alarms for airport security, even if they're totally harmless. Here are some things to be aware of.
Certain hand soaps
A US-based travel writer claims she was recently detained and missed her flight after testing positive for gunpowder at airport security.
She definitely hadn't handled guns or gunpowder recently, but it turns out that her hand soap was to blame for the false positive.
Glycerin, which is a common ingredient in many hand soaps and lotions, contains nitrogen-based chemicals. And so do explosives like gunpowder and dynamite.
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Some soaps can see you get flagged at airport security. Getty
Because they share similar compounds, airport explosive trace detection machines (the ones where they wipe your hands or bags with a small cotton swab) can sometimes struggle to distinguish between the two.
The TSA says it's an uncommon occurrence, but it can happen. Just refrain from applying glycerin-based products right before heading through security.
Underwire bras
Technically, underwire in your bra shouldn't set off the airport metal detectors, but sometimes it does.
When this happens, you'll be subjected to another pat-down just to make sure you're not smuggling something else in there.
To avoid this, leave your underwire in your suitcase and opt for something wire-free on the plane - and you get the added bonus of being comfier, too.
Being sweaty
It turns out that being particularly sweaty in certain places, like your underarms and crotch, can set off the airport detectors.
The scanners used in most airports use 'Millimetre Wave' technology. These waves pass through clothing but reflect off the skin.
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Sweat might earn you an extra screening. Getty
The scanner is expecting to see the waves "bounce" off your dry skin to map your body's silhouette. But water is highly reflective to millimetre waves - so when sweat pools in certain areas of your body, the scanner thinks you have something solid tucked in there.
If you're feeling particularly sweaty, maybe take a trip to the bathroom for a paper towel pat down before you head through security.
Cheese and coffee
Big, dense blocks of organic matter - cheese and ground coffee are the main culprits here - can look suspicious on an airport scanner.
So if you're taking a bag of coffee home as a gift or refuse to travel without a block of Tasty cheese in your carry-on, expect to be flagged by airport security so they can take a closer look.
Also, don't forget that soft cheeses are technically classified as a gel - so if you've got over 100 grams of it, checked baggage only please.
Leave your cheese at home or in your checked bag. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Rocks
For a similar reason, rocks in your bag can also trigger a manual search, as they appear as suspicious, high-density objects on X-ray. So long as they're not sharp or weapon-like, they should pass the test.
Though it can be tempting to pick up a cool rock while travelling, unless you're a geologist, it's probably a better idea to just leave it where you found it. Respect the nature that you're experiencing.
Also, due to Australia's strict biosecurity laws, any rocks you bring into the country must be declared and thoroughly cleaned to remove all soil, sand, and plant material.
Sex toys
Depending on what they are, some sex toys can be flagged by X-ray machines as dense, foreign objects, which a security team member will need to check.
If you're travelling with them, keep them at the top of your bag and be ready to show them if need be.
Anything electronic should have its batteries removed if possible before being packed, so it won't randomly turn on.
Take care before packing your carry-on bag. Getty
You might also need to be careful taking these through customs, too.
A Kiwi couple had a bundle of sex toys confiscated when visiting Fiji on a work trip - the customs officer took them all and threw them in the bin.
This is due to strict import laws in Fiji.
Anything considered 'obscene' under the Customs (Prohibited Imports and Exports) Regulations 1986, which bans goods that are "blasphemous, indecent, or obscene" or that "unduly emphasise matters of sex", isn't allowed to be brought into the country.
So if you're planning to travel with your favourite bedroom accessories, just check before packing them that you're allowed to do so.
