(CNN) — As we head into the eight nights of Hanukkah, the 12 days of Christmas and the seven days of Kwaanza, it’s time to remember a few simple rules.
Blades or bludgeons or brass knuckles have no place in your carry-on bags. Nor do fireworks and flammable liquids.
And please, please, please remove any loaded guns from your duffel bag before entering your airport security line.
“Any time we have prohibited items coming through a TSA checkpoint, it slows down our screening,” says TSA spokesman Mark Howell. As traffic increases over the holidays, “we’ll have more prohibited items.”
1. Where’s your gun?
Don’t strap your gun to your body or forget it in your carry-on luggage.
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No, really. Do you know where you put it? People found with guns at TSA passenger checkpoints often claim they didn’t remember their guns were in their bags — even though most of those guns were loaded.
It could cost you. Local law enforcement may arrest you, and the TSA can levy civil fines of up to $13,333 and strip TSA PreCheck travelers of their status. (The average fine for a first offense is $2,400 for an unloaded gun and $3,000 to $4,000 for a loaded gun.)
The world’s busiest ariport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport seized the most last year: 298 weapons.
Check your airline’s website for guidance on how to check a weapon.
2. Not even a replica
Please don’t bring replica grenades (or real ones, either).
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At 30,000 feet, your flight crew doesn’t have time to gauge if your gun or grenade is fake or could take the aircraft down. While some toys are allowed, it’s at the discretion of the TSA officer. Do you want them to take it from your screaming child’s hands? Leave those “toys” at home.
3. Pack those blades
Blades go into your checked luggage (even those nice cooking knives).
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There’s absolutely nothing you need to slice in the air except that first-class dinner (and your airline has dinner knives). Pocket knives, box cutters, corkscrew blades or those new fancy Heinkel kitchen knives need to be wrapped carefully and placed in your checked luggage.
4. Check your bludgeons
Pack those excercise weights and other heavy equipment.
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“Bludgeon” is the most marvelous word for prohibited items that are heavy and powerful enough — think baseball bats, cast iron pans and kettle balls — to injure or kill someone when used as a weapon. Besides, your relatives will ruin the perfect seasoning on your cast iron pan, so just leave it at home.
5. No self defense equipment
Pack those brass knuckles in your checked luggage.
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Hey, Tony Soprano! That means no brass knuckles, pepper spray or martial arts weapons. It’s fine in your checked bags, including sealed pepper spray.
6. No flammable liquids
Please don’t bring flammable liquids.
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Plasma lighters, electronic lighters, butane and other flammable liquids are not allowed, even if you’re carrying less than 3.4 ounces.
7. No fireworks or explosives
Fireworks should stay home.
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You may not transport fireworks, which could easily be set off mid-air, for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Alternatively, view the fireworks from a safe distance with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN’s New Year’s Eve special! Remember that replicas of explosives — like fake grenades — are not allowed either.
8. Hazardous liquids
Buy bleach or other TSA-prohibited liquids when you land.
John Moore/Getty Images
Whatever turpentine or paint thinner is your favorite brand, you’ll need to buy it at your destination. Other banned liquids includes products such as bleach or other liquids that could make people sick if opened or spilled. Don’t check them in your luggage either.
9. Oversized liquids
10. Wrapped presents
Don’t make TSA officers unwrap your presents.
Photo Illustration/Thinkstock
While the TSA isn’t always Grinch-like about your carefully wrapped presents, those that look suspicious will undergo a secondary-unwrapping-and-screening. Wrap your gifts when you arrive at your mother’s home, or better yet, do what my partner’s parents do and use easily opened reusable cloth Christmas bags. They are charming and good for the environment.
The TSA doesn’t want your stuff
The TSA doesn’t want to take your stuff.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Despite rumors to the contrary, the TSA doesn’t actually confiscate anything, Howell says.
People can check items (unless they’re not allowed in checked baggage), leave them in their cars (if they drive to the airport), give them to a non-flying friend or mail the items back to themselves if their airport has a post office.
Even those loaded guns aren’t seized by the TSA. The agency calls local law enforcement to handle the weapons, and the owners.
Many travelers choose to abandon their goods at the airport, and state agencies in charge of surplus often collect, sort and re-sell whatever can be re-sold.