AAA predicts a record 72 million Americans will get away during the week leading up to Independence Day this year. TSA says the past year has seen the 10 busiest travel days in its 23-year history. And while you can’t always count on smooth travels, you can plan for a safer trip.
As a mom of a 3½-year-old, I’m packing for two — and constantly rewriting and double-checking my packing list. I may occasionally forget an extra pair of socks, but there are a few things that always come with us: the Simba blanket, a shirt with the number 10 on it, and the rechargeable devices I sometimes wish I could live without. But these must-haves come in clutch when a flight is delayed, I want to capture a moment, or I inevitably start walking confidently in the wrong direction.
I have started to add a layer into my packing lists: make sure the products I bring are making my trip as safe as possible. Here are a few packing considerations:
1. Keep Rechargeable Devices in Reach
My son likes to play on the electronic tablet he calls his “computer” (I’ll talk to him about healthy work/life balance as he gets older), and I carry my cell phone, earbuds, and laptop. This is relatively common – UL Standards & Engagement studies have found that the average passenger carries four rechargeable devices with them.
Since these devices are all rechargeable, they’re most likely powered by lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries are powerful and long-lasting but can go into thermal runaway, the technical term for when a device gets too hot, starts smoking, or – worst case scenario – explode, if they malfunction or aren’t handled properly.
Many of us have experienced a phone, laptop, or power bank getting uncomfortably hot and not knowing what to do. A hot device is a sign that its battery might not be healthy and that it should be used with caution — especially if you’re flying. That’s because the hazards can be more complicated at 30,000 feet due to limited means of extinguishing fires and an often densely packed cabin.
You can minimize the risks associated with thermal runaway simply by keeping rechargeable devices out of checked luggage and within arm’s reach. This should be an easy adjustment – most of us want our phone, laptop, and child’s “computer” nearby but be mindful of things like rechargeable toothbrushes.
If you feel your device overheating or if you drop it between seats where it could be crushed or damaged, immediately contact the cabin crew. Crew members are trained to deal with malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries (fun fact: water is the best method to handle this type of fire) and many planes carry a special fire containment bag– many of which meet ULSE standards – that can safely contain an overheating device before flames and smoke spread.
2. Ensure Coin Cell Batteries are Secure
Many toys rely on button and coin batteries though they are also found in car keys, key fobs, and other devices a child may like to put in their mouth. Keep an eye on these: in addition to being a choking hazard they can potentially cause fatal internal burns if swallowed.
Fortunately, ULSE developed a standard which requires button battery compartments to require a tool or two-handed motion to open, and the U.S. Congress passed Reese’s Law to require compliance after Texas mother Trista Hamsmith lost her 18-month-old daughter, Reese, to battery ingestion in 2020. Be sure your children’s toys meet the requirements and also watch for these batteries in devices you might encounter while traveling.
3. Pack Peace of Mind with a Carbon Monoxide Alarm
You may assume that hotels and other vacation rentals have carbon monoxide detectors, but according to a recent ULSE report, CO regulations vary widely even if alarms are standard where you live. I’ve now added a portable CO detector to my packing list. These are easy to come by, don’t take up much space, and are worth purchasing for peace of mind.
As a general rule of thumb: when using electric devices on vacation (or at home), look for the certification mark of a reputable third-party testing, inspection, and certification company.
Maybe I’m more vigilant than the average parent because I work all day advocating for safer communities and homes. But I realize safety standards that are invisible to the general public are there for our protection and while many are unfamiliar with those standards, it’s because they unknowingly benefit from our impact on safety every day.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, boarding a plane, or making a cross-country drive to visit family, a little planning can go a long way in keeping your children safe this summer. The products we pack — and how we use them — matter.
You don’t have to be a safety expert to make safer choices — but knowing what to look for, what to pack, and how to respond in a pinch can make all the difference.
Ready to Learn More?
ULSE studies the risks and realities of thermal runaway in aviation using incident data and insights of travelers. Our new report offers the second annual look at those findings.