Travelers might want to rethink the place they stash their devices.
Following a latest journey security alert, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding passengers that electrical toothbrushes and different gadgets with lithium batteries should be packed in carry-on baggage solely.
The reminder aligns with a latest alert from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasizing the dangers of lithium batteries within the cargo maintain. Both businesses level to the identical threat: lithium batteries can ignite with out warning. If that occurs within the cabin, crews can reply rapidly. If it occurs within the cargo maintain, no one can get to it till the airplane lands.
The steerage could sound slender, nevertheless it covers greater than toothbrushes. Phones, laptops, tablets, and spare batteries all fall underneath the identical rule. The FAA is urging passengers to maintain them in locations the place they’re straightforward to achieve throughout a flight.
According to a TSA spokesperson who spoke with People Magazine, the security measure is a precaution and never a response to any particular incident. Lithium battery fires are uncommon, however after they occur at altitude, they’ll unfold quick. The security measure is supposed to maintain them the place they are often contained.
Sources: People, Scripps News