Power Banks and Vapes: The New Sky-High Fire Hazards You Must Know!

Air travelers are being warned not to pack power banks or vapes in their checked luggage as the summer holiday season begins in the UK. The Civil Aviation Authority, which is the group that makes rules for flying, says that lithium batteries are now the biggest safety risk on airplanes. These batteries are found in many devices people use every day, like mobile phones, laptops, vapes, power banks, and smart watches. The average person now brings about four devices with lithium batteries when they fly.

Lithium batteries are popular because they can store a lot of energy in a small space, making them perfect for portable electronics. However, if these batteries overheat or are damaged, they can catch fire quickly and the fire can be very hard to control. In 2024, there were 316 cases where devices with lithium batteries were found in checked luggage. In 2025, that number almost doubled to 643. There were also more reports of batteries overheating or not working properly, going from 123 to 206 in just one year. Most of these incidents happened in the cabin, where flight attendants could handle the situation. But if a fire starts in the cargo hold, it might not be noticed until it is too late to stop it.

There have already been some serious incidents. For example, last month an EasyJet flight had to land in Rome because a power bank was found in the hold. In October, a video showed flames coming from the overhead compartment of an Air China flight, which was also caused by a lithium battery. The CAA says that about two lithium battery incidents happen every week now. Besides the danger of fire, finding these batteries in the wrong place can cause delays and even force planes to land somewhere else.

The CAA wants passengers to remember some important rules. You should always carry devices like phones, vapes, and power banks with you in the cabin, not in checked luggage. Each person can only bring two power banks, and you are not allowed to charge them during the flight. If you need to put a laptop in your checked bag, make sure it is turned off completely. Tim Alderslade, who is the Chief Executive of Airlines UK, says that the risk from lithium batteries is a growing problem because people are using more electronic devices than ever. He says that the best way to stay safe is to follow the rules when packing your bags.

Experts say that most lithium batteries are safe, but problems usually happen with cheap or fake batteries bought from unreliable sellers. Giuseppe Capanna, a safety engineer, says that these batteries can cause very strong fires if something goes wrong, and it is hard to put them out. He says it is important to only bring safe, tested products when you travel. By following these rules, everyone can help keep flights safe and avoid dangerous situations.