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Amid a string of cabin fires caused by the lithium batteries commonly found in popular tech devices such as power banks and laptops, both airlines and regulatory authorities have been cracking down on rules for their transportation over the last five years.
Most recently, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reiterated that the cordless irons and hair straighteners many use for daily grooming are banned from checked luggage.
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These instead need to be kept near the passenger at all times in the carry-on, since storing them in the cabin makes it easier to spot and put out a fire.
“Cordless curling irons that contain lithium metal or lithium ion batteries or are gas or butane fueled are only allowed in carry-on bags,” the TSA states on its website. “A safety cover must be securely fitted over the heating element. The device must be protected from accidental activation.”
TSA warns of “devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries”
Travelers should know that the lithium-ion battery is found in more common beauty and personal care items than may immediately come to mind.
On its website, the TSA states that the electronic toothbrushes many use for a deeper clean can be brought on the trip, but need to be packed with “special instructions,” depending on the type of battery they contain.
Anything with regular alkaline batteries can be transported without any special care in either carry-on or checked baggage, while electronic toothbrushes charged through a cord or charging base usually contain a lithium battery and so need to be brought in the cabin.
Related: American Airlines sounds warning after in-cabin fire
“Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage,” the TSA writes. “Most other consumer devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.”
Other beauty and personal care appliances that should be checked for lithium batteries include airbrush makeup machines, light therapy masks, microcurrent massagers, and other electronic massage gadgets.
While items that are accidentally packed inside the checked suitcase will usually not be flagged, stowing them incorrectly can risk them being thrown out by a TSA officer.
TSA: Devices “should be packed so they are protected from damage”
“If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation and packed so they are protected from damage,” the TSA states in updated instructions, offering “if in doubt, leave it out” as packing guidance.
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A recent incident on a Delta Air Lines (DAL) flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale illustrates the danger of lithium metal or lithium ion batteries. The pilot had to divert the plane to Fort Myers when cabin smoke smelled by passengers and flight attendants was traced to a power charging bank that had caught fire.
Due to their larger size and energy power, such batteries are particularly prone to short-circuiting while on a plane.
An American Airlines (AAL) flight carrying 160 passengers from Philadelphia to Phoenix also had to make an emergency landing in Washington Dulles International Airport in August due to a cabin fire started by a passenger’s personal device.
The FAA reported a total of 46 battery-related fires in the first half of 2025 leading up to August 15.
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Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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