TECH TIP: Batteries on Planes

Since 1st January 2008 loose Lithium-Ion batteries have not been allowed in hold baggage on flights in the USA.

Modern batteries of this type (like the ones which power most camcorders, portable power-tools and the like) are very powerful indeed. If they are shorted accidentally, or damaged, during baggage handling they can get very hot indeed and start a fire.

You can put into hold baggage pieces of equipment with the batteries fitted in place and the kit turned off.

You can carry spare batteries in hand-baggage ... but make sure you put tape over the exposed terminals and carry each one in a separate sealable clear plastic bag. It is all too easy to drop one in a pocket or bag alongside keys, coins and jewellery which could short the terminals.

The theory here is that if a battery fire should start in the cabin it will be spotted at once and the flight attendants can use fire-extinguishers on it.