New rules ban loose lithium batteries from checked luggage

Do you travel with a spare lithium battery for your laptop or other electronic devices? New federal rules that took effect this month bar travelers from storing loose lithium batteries in their checked luggage; the batteries are considered hazardous materials since they have been known to overheat and ignite under certain conditions, according to the Transportation Department. You can still put a lithium battery into your checked luggage if it is installed in an electronic device (but who would trust their laptops to a checked bag?), and you can bring it aboard in your carry-on if it is stored in a plastic bag, DOT said. “Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones, and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage,” DOT said in announcing the rule. “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.” The Transportation Department has posted some safety tips for carrying spare batteries at http://safetravel.dot.gov/tips.html.