East Midlands holidaymakers warned to check lithium-battery gadgets before flying this half term
More than 42,000 passengers are expected to fly from East Midlands airports this half-term, with travellers being urged to pack their phones, vapes and power banks safely
Holidaymakers jetting off from the East Midlands this half-term are being reminded to check how they pack everyday items like phones, tablets, vapes and power banks before flying.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a six-point safety checklist after concerns about devices overheating and catching fire on planes.
An estimated 42,565 passengers are expected to depart from East Midlands airports from today (Friday 23 October) to next week (30 October).
The warning follows recent incidents involving battery fires, including a fire on a British Airways flight leaving Gatwick last week.
New research from the CAA found that more than half of passengers (54%) take a power bank when flying. But almost one in three (31%) wrongly believe items containing these batteries should go in their checked luggage.
What do passengers need to know?
The CAA is asking travellers to follow six simple safety checks before and during their flight:
Check your airline's rules before taking a power bank on board.
Keep power banks within easy reach if you're using one to charge your phone.
If a device gets too hot, switch it off, stop charging it and tell cabin crew straight away.
If you spot smoke, alert cabin crew immediately. They're trained to deal with battery problems.
Don't vape on the plane. Vapes must be packed in your hand luggage, not your checked suitcase.
Pack power banks in your hand luggage and check your airline's rules on how many you can take and what size they can be.
Why does it matter?
Phones, tablets, vapes and power banks are things many of us take on holiday without giving them a second thought.
But if a battery develops a fault, it can overheat and catch fire, potentially putting passengers at risk.
The CAA says awareness of the rules has improved, but there's still confusion about where these items should be packed.
It's urging people travelling from the East Midlands to check the guidance before leaving home, so they know what they can take on board and what to do if a device starts smoking or overheating.