TSA reveals common bathroom product is not allowed in checked bags… and it can pose a serious risk if ignored

The Transportation Security Administration has announced that a common bathroom product is not allowed in checked luggage – and it can pose a serious risk if ignored.

The administration took to Facebook this week to remind fliers that any electric toothbrushes that has lithium batteries is not allowed in checked bags.

‘Traveling with your electric toothbrush, or other items that buzz? If they have an installed lithium battery you should pack them in your carry-on bag,’ the TSA wrote in a recent social media post. 

‘Any spare or uninstalled lithium batteries must be placed in a carry-on bag,’ it urged.

Other items containing lithium batteries include certain cell phones, cell phone battery charging cases, laptops, and cameras, amongst other things.

The announcement comes amidst a surge in lithium battery-related blazes on aircrafts in recent months.

In July, an overhead bin burst into flames aboard a Virgin Australia flight, and a Delta flight made an emergency landing in Florida after a passenger’s power bank caught fire midair weeks later.

And last month, a portable phone charger exploded during a flight from São Paulo to Amsterdam.

The Transportation Security Administration has announced that a common bathroom product is not allowed in checked luggage – and it can pose a serious risk if ignored (stock photo)

The administration took to Facebook this week to remind fliers that any electric toothbrushes that has lithium batteries is not allowed in checked bags (stock image)

The batteries can overheat, explode, or catch fire because of overcharging, exposure to heat or water, physical damage, and manufacturing defects. 

Despite mounting risks, experts say the airline industry is failing to respond adequately.

A shocking two in five travelers admit to packing lithium devices in their checked baggage – a breach of airline rules that can cause fires in the cargo hold can go undetected until it’s too late.

Many battery fires start in overhead compartments, where crew cannot easily reach or remove burning items.

Yet overhead storage remains a popular spot for power banks, with 29 percent of travelers stashing them there, often unknowingly breaking airline safety rules.

Even worse, 30 percent of passengers say no one asked about lithium batteries when they gate-checked their bags – leaving flammable devices in the hold without anyone knowing.

It comes weeks after TSA added a slew of cordless hair tools to its list of items banned in checked luggage, including cordless curling irons or flatirons containing gas cartridges, butane-fueled curling irons or flat irons, and gas refills (spare cartridges) for curling irons or flat irons. 

These devices will still be allowed in carry-on bags if they have safety covers fitted over the heating elements to prevent accidental activation.

‘Traveling with your electric toothbrush, or other items that buzz? If they have an installed lithium battery you should pack them in your carry-on bag,’ the TSA wrote (stock image)

The burned out wreck of an Air Busan plane in January sent shockwaves around the world about the threat of lithium battery fires 

Two people were injured when a power bank caught fire aboard this Taiwan to Singapore flight in January 2023

It comes weeks after TSA added a slew of cordless hair tools to its list of items banned in checked luggage (stock image) 

Traditional electric curling irons and hair straighteners with cords that plug into an outlet remain allowed in both checked and carry-on baggage, the TSA said.

Travelers who attempt to check banned items risk having their bags confiscated for inspection – and could face fines.

Other prohibited items in checked bags include e-cigarettes, vaping devices, fireworks, liquid bleach, fertilizer, matches, lithium-powered phone chargers, sparklers, spray paint, and more. 

You can see the full list here.