Air travelers no longer allowed to carry batteries

December 28th 2007

Beginning January 1, travelers will no longer be able to bring on loose lithium batteries in their checked luggage. The Transportation Department said Friday, that this should help reduce any risks of fires in the cargo.

You'll still be able to check in baggage if the batteries are installed in electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers and cameras. Loose batteries can be carried on in plastic bags, however, bear in mind the two battery limit per passenger.

Keeping spare batteries in a plastic zip-lock bag or in its original packaging will help prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires. The National Transportation Safety Board earlier in the month said lithium batteries could not be ruled out as the source of last year's cargo plane fire at Philadelphia International Airport.