Airlines urge passengers to take care with lithium-ion batteries

The airline industry is calling on passengers to exercise caution when carrying lithium-ion batteries during air travel. These batteries, commonly found in devices such as smartphones, laptops, and e-cigarettes, pose a potential fire risk if damaged, overheated, or improperly handled. Airlines are concerned about incidents involving these batteries in aircraft cabins and cargo holds. Passengers are being advised to follow safety guidelines, such as keeping devices in carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage. The warnings reflect a broader industry effort to reduce the risk of in-flight fires linked to battery-powered devices.