New Safety Rule Prohibits Lithium Batteries in Checked Baggage

Lithium-Ion Battery for Nikon D40

Airline passengers – and that includes photographers – are no longer allowed to stash a spare lithium battery in a checked baggage. They may be allowed however to bring a spare battery in their carry-on baggage as long as the terminals are covered or insulated.

That’s a new federal safety rule that took effect January 1, 2008. Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones, and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage.

“Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires,” said Krista Edwards, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

[Site: SafeTravel.DOT.gov]

Published by Chris Malinao

Chris teaches Lightroom as workflow software to photography students at the FPPF, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation. He also teaches smartphone photography.