I've had the security tag happen to me a few times, and luckily we were only close and not halfway around the world. I tried looking it up online, and there were a few methods to get it separated. I was even surprised about the paper bag thing, where they just wound it around and around the small gap, and it eventually worked.
I am glad you were able to fix both. From what you've just experienced with your heater, I think this was just a walk in the park.