The Battery Risk Travelers Are Packing in Their Luggage

By: Sayon Deb and David Wroth

As more airline passengers take to the skies, they are bringing more devices powered by lithium-ion batteries with them. From cell phones and laptops to tablets and headphones, these rechargeable products are essential to daily life and the travel experience. They also pose a lesser-known risk to the travelers packing them: thermal runaway.

We have all had the moment checking in at the airport when we are asked if we have any lithium-ion batteries in our luggage. But UL Standards & Engagement’s recent study revealed that little is known about lithium-ion batteries, making the answers at bag check unreliable — and potentially dangerous.