Traveling on Planes With Pepper Spray

Many people become particularly concerned with theiringredients.
personal safety when they are planning a tripWhen traveling by air, there are restrictions on traveling
overseas. How do you keep yourself safe in an areawith disabling chemicals or devices. There are specific
where you don't speak the local language orrules stating that pepper spray cannot be carried on
understand the local customs? How can you makeyour person or in your carryon luggage while on the
sure you won't be taken advantage of while traveling?plane. However, your checked baggage can include
Many travelers consider pepper spray an effectivecanisters up to four ounces in size. Most pepper spray
option for personal protection while away from home.canisters designed to be carried on a keychain or in a
While this is a very popular method of self defensepocket or purse come in under this limit, so this should
here in the United States, you may worry that you'll benot be a problem. However, larger canisters such as
stopped by airport security if you try to take your selfthose designed for home use tend to be too large to
defense spray with you onto the plane. Although yourlegally pack in your suitcase.
fears are certainly for good reason, as airlineWhen traveling with pepper spray, even with canisters
restrictions do place limitations on what you can bringunder the 4 ounce limit, be sure to tell the airline that
on the plane with you, with proper planning you shouldyou have the canister when you check in your
be able to bring your spray to most destinations.luggage at the baggage counter. They are legally
In most areas of the United States, pepper spray isrequired to inspect the canister to make sure that
legal to carry and use for personal protection.there is a locking device. Otherwise, your pepper spray
However, transporting it over state lines can be a littlecould accidentally discharge while inside your suitcase
tricky if you are traveling by plane. This can becomein the plane. Be sure to keep the pepper spray
even more difficult if you plan to travel out of thecanister in a convenient location before checking your
country with your self defense spray, though it'sbaggage so that you don't have to dig through your
certainly not impossible.suitcase at the counter.
Your first step is to find out the local laws regardingDo not try to conceal a canister of pepper spray in
self defense spray at your destination. There may beyour purse or pocket. Even if it's small enough to do
specific limitations on the carrying of it in specific statesso, remember that you will need to pass through a
or cities, or even into particular types of locations. Ifmetal detector prior to boarding the plane. Always alert
you cannot legally carry the spray at your destination,the airline if you have packed pepper spray into your
don't bother packing it. It's also important to make surebag. If you try to get through security with pepper
that the canister you plan to bring meets all localspray in your luggage, it will probably be confiscated.
regulations. Some areas restrict the canister size or