During the holidays, more and more travelers check bags.

But here’s what you do after you part with your luggage at the ticket counter.

When you get to the gate, show the gate agent the barcode on your bag tags and ask them to confirm that the bags have actually been loaded on your plane.

Then, when you land, don’t just grab your luggage and leave the airport when you see them on the carousel. Open them up to make sure that everything you packed is still in there.

Luggage thieves don’t steal bags. They take individual items from bags, and most of us are usually so thrilled to see our bags we just take them and leave.

If you don’t go through your bags at the airport, you can’t file a claim once you get home and discover the loss.