More than one million people have passed through the security scanning at the city’s airport since it was installed in 2012, but daily, staff are still seizing dangerous goods.

Items like surgical scissors, screwdrivers, rail pins, fluffy handcuffs and replica guns have been stopped and seized by security personnel before passengers board planes out of the airport this year.

But many people might not know some of the interesting items that cannot be taken on board in carry-on luggage.

“You’re not allowed to carry cable ties, it’s considered a restraining device,” Tamworth Airport manager Julie Stewart told The Leader.

“We've had three pairs of fluffy handcuffs, they are a toy thing but also a restraint, even toy guns, we don't allow anything like that.

“Things like that are not allowed through screening, it cannot come through the screening point, even if it is a toy, we don't permit it. 

“If you are attached to the item, and you refuse to let it go, you won’t travel either.”

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Aerosols without the lockable or secure lids are also on the banned list and council donates the seized deodorants to groups like the local men’s clubs, while hairsprays find their way to local dance schools. The CWA also takes delivery of the seized scissors.

“It comes from the community, so we want to give it back to the community, where we can, but mostly these items should be put into checked baggage so they’re not seized,” Ms Stewart said. 

“Knives, on average we’re looking at about 25 knives a month, other sharps about 65 a month and other tools we’re looking at about 18 a month.

“Quite often people were perhaps not aware of what’s in their bag or they don’t check before they travel.

“It’s fine for people to carry these items, it just needs to go through their checked baggage.

“This is why it is so important to check with the airlines that you’re flying with to make sure what you can and can’t have.” 

Besides toy guns and handcuffs, other everyday items are also banned from carry-on.

“The number of cigarette lighters, the airlines usually only allow you to carry one,” Ms Stewart said. 

“A hipflask, it’s because it can be used to carry fuel. 

“Sealed bottles of alcohol are allowed, but not opened items with liquid.

“We mix it with the best, so when you leave Tamworth you are safe and sound.” 

And things are about to get a whole lot tougher with the next round of security upgrades announced as part of the federal budget.

“Tamworth is one of the airports that are required to install a body scanner,” Ms Stewart said.

Signs on the dos and don’ts are up in the terminal including at check-in, and also on the websites of airlines, as well as travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au.