Lithium Batteries Restricted On Flights
To reduce the risk of fires, air travelers are no longer permitted to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage.
The ban began Jan. 1.
Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cellphones and laptop computers. If packed in plastic bags, batteries may be in carry-on baggage. The limit is two batteries per passenger.
The ban affects shipments of non-rechargeable lithium batteries, such as Energizer and Duracell.
"Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires," Krista Edwards, deputy administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, said in a release.
The Federal Aviation Administration has found that fire-protection systems in the cargo hold of passenger planes can't put out fires sparked in lithium batteries.
http://www.courant.com/travel/hc-travbatteries.artfeb03,0,3449518.story