Abstract: A handbag, briefcase or luggage alarm of the type which sounds an audible and/or visual alarm when the compartment is opened. The alarm is particularly useful for compartments of the type having a zipper-type opening. The alarm can be disabled by opening the compartment several inches and reaching into the interior thereof and switching off a disarming switch which disables the alarm. The compartment may then be opened the rest of the way. Conversely, when the compartment is closed, the same disabling switch is turned back on when the compartment is almost completely closed. The disarming switch may be replaced by an exterior key pad to program a given number sequence for arming and disarming the device.