By Halima Abdi and eTurboNews
Published December 24, 2017
There are many items that people use on a daily basis that are considered hazardous materials when packed to fly on a plane. Flyers should know that e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and spare lithium batteries should NOT be packed in their checked luggage. Spare lithium batteries – the kind that are found in personal electronic devices and back-up charging devices – can only travel in carry-on baggage.
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Electronic devices powered by lithium batteries can catch fire if they are damaged or have exposed electrical terminals. Devices that smoke or catch fire are much easier to extinguish in the cabin than they are in the cargo hold. So, the FAA recommends that passengers keep cell phones and other devices nearby in the cabin, so they can quickly access them, if necessary.
However, even in carry-on baggage, spare lithium batteries should be protected from damage or short circuiting. Ensuring that the batteries are packed properly and are not touching or bumping something that could potentially cause them to spark. If batteries are not sealed in manufacturer packaging, the battery terminals should be protected by covering them with tape and placing them in separate bags to prevent short circuits.
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Some of the other common toiletries that passengers may plan to pack, but that could be hazardous include: aerosol cans that may contain hair spray, deodorant, tanning spray or animal repellant; nail polish; artist paints; and glues.
These are some of the guidelines provided by the United States of America’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to airline passengers to pack safely.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the government agency that manages airports in the East African country, agrees with FAA.
KAA advises passengers to ask their airline ‘about specific limitations regarding number of pieces of luggage, and maximum size and weight limitations applicable to checked and carry-on luggage’ before going to the airport.
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Among the items KAA says are prohibited in hand luggage and that they should be checked in s hold baggage as long as it is not forbidden to transport such items in the hold of the aircraft include:
- Liquids
- Firearms and weapons in general
- Explosive and inflammable substances, and
- Chemical and toxic substances
Like FAA, KAA observes on its website that “Some seemingly harmless products can be dangerous on board an aircraft if they are packed in your luggage.”
Saying “An aeroplane is not like a car” KAA says that “During the flight, variations of temperature and pressure and the movement of the aircraft itself may cause the leakage of liquids or the ignition of certain articles.”
Some of the items KAA says passengers should not carry in their luggage include:
- Explosives (including detonators, fuses, grenades, mines and pyrotechnic products)
- Gases: propane, butane (including small camping gas canisters)
- Flammable liquids (including petrol, methanol, paint, solvents, glue and lighter fuel)
- Solid flammable or reactive substances (including magnesium, matches and lighters, fireworks and flares)
- Oxidants and organic peroxides (like bleaches and abrasive substances)
- Toxic or infectious substances (rat poisons, infected blood)
- Radioactive material (including isotopes for medical or commercial use)
- Corrosive materials (such as car batteries), and
- Engine parts that have contained fuel.
From the guidelines listed here above one can rightly conclude that FAA regulations affect air travel around the world. So, why not take a moment to check out its Pack Safe website? Especially during this festive season as you pack your bags to travel for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
