The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States has recently issued new guidelines regarding personal care items carried by passengers on airplanes.
According to the regulations, electric toothbrushes equipped with lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries must be placed in carry-on luggage following “special provisions” and cannot be checked in.
This rule is in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulations for portable electronic devices with batteries, specifying that those using lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries must be carried in hand luggage.
Electric toothbrushes commonly use two types of batteries: alkaline batteries and lithium batteries. Toothbrushes using alkaline batteries, typically found in flashlights or TV remote controls, can be safely placed in either checked or carry-on luggage without special restrictions.
However, most electric toothbrushes rely on lithium batteries, which can overheat, spark, or even catch fire if damaged.
The FAA highlights that placing electric toothbrushes with lithium batteries in checked luggage, entering the aircraft’s cargo area, poses significant risks.
TSA warns that passengers who do not comply with the regulations may have their electric toothbrushes confiscated. Confiscated items may be destroyed, transferred to law enforcement, or handed over to the airline for handling.
It’s not just electric toothbrushes facing additional scrutiny at airports.
Other battery-operated beauty devices are also under scrutiny. Cordless hair straighteners, curling irons, and butane-powered tools have been prohibited from checked luggage for safety reasons, as they could accidentally activate during the flight and cause overheating or fire.
Earlier this year, the FAA expanded its control to cover more battery-powered devices, including power banks and phone charging cases.
Since 2020, loose lithium batteries have been prohibited in checked baggage. The latest regulations now extend this ban to a wide range of consumer electronic products.
Therefore, passengers are advised to double-check the following items before airport security checks, including laptop batteries, power banks, phone batteries, and portable chargers. Violations of these regulations could result in losing expensive equipment and, in some cases, further penalties from airport security personnel.
TSA officials state that these strict measures aim to ensure flight safety and prevent fires in the cargo holds during flights.