AL DHS stresses safety tips for the holiday travel season - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security reiterates the message from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today highlighting security procedures ahead of the busy holiday travel period and reminds travelers about the steps they can take to be prepared for airport security.

Over the past year, TSA has implemented a number of new risk-based security measures that enhance the passenger experience at airports across the country.

TSA has implemented TSA Pre✓™, an expedited prescreening initiative for known travelers and active duty service members at select airports, and modified procedures for screening passengers 12 and under, 75 and older and airline crewmembers to reduce, although not eliminate, the need for a pat-down.

Holiday Travel Tips

• Remember 3–1–1 for carry-on luggage for non-exempt liquids: 3 ounce bottle or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols; placed in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to hold all small bottles; 1 bag per passenger.

• Do not travel with wrapped packages. In order to determine if the contents of a package are a threat, a security officer may need to unwrap and inspect the item.

• TSA allows small snow globes in carry-on luggage when packed in a passenger's plastic 3-1-1 bag. Snow globes that appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis-ball size) will be permitted if the entire snow globe, including the base, is able to fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized, re-sealable bag as a passenger's other liquids.

• Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted, but may require further inspection. If travelers are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel it is best to pack the item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.

For more travel tips or information on what passengers can and cannot bring through security, go to http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information or http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/my-tsa-mobile-application to use the MyTSA mobile app. To contact TSA Cares, a helpline designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, call 1-855-787-2227.

AL DHS also reminds the public of its "See Something, Say Something" campaign in regards to suspicious activity reporting during the holiday travel season. Law enforcement relies upon citizens to report suspicious activity to deter and disrupt terrorism or other criminal activities.  For more information on what activity is deemed suspicious, go to the Alabama Fusion Center website, fusion.alabama.gov under the "Public Awareness" tab or http://fusion.alabama.gov/Public-Awareness.aspx

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