The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Supports Transportation Department’s Advisory on Battery Safety
The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) announced that it is supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) safety advisory on the use and packaging of batteries and battery-powered consumer products, such as laptop computers, cell phones, iPods, Blackberries and DVD players, carried aboard an aircraft.
"The Transportation Department’s advisory emphasizes the appropriate safeguards that passengers should take to minimize the risk of a battery- related incident aboard an aircraft," PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner said. "Existing federal regulations already require that batteries and battery-powered products carried aboard an aircraft be properly packaged and protected. Today’s DOT advisory explains the steps consumers should take to comply with those regulations."
The DOT website states that it is safe to fly with laptops, cell phones, cameras, and other battery-powered devices. Batteries should remain in these devices and the products carried on board, not checked as luggage. If a passenger does check consumer electronic products, these devices should be packaged properly to prevent accidental activation, according to the website.
According to the DOT, if passengers are traveling with spare batteries, they should keep spare batteries in the original packaging. If the original packaging is unavailable, insulate the battery terminals by isolating all batteries from any contact with other batteries or metal. Place each battery in a separate package and do not allow a loose battery to come into contact metal objects such as coins, keys or jewelry. Passengers are also urged to place tape across a loose battery’s contacts to isolate terminals, which will prevent short-circuiting.
"PRBA supports the DOT recommendations and is heartened by its conclusions that if passengers take the proper precautions, it is safe to fly with both batteries and battery-powered products," Kerchner said. "PRBA’s analysis of government research data indicates that many of the extremely rare battery- related incidents could have been avoided if passengers had followed the appropriate safety precautions. PRBA hopes the publication of the DOT advisory and the widest possible communication about its recommendations will reduce the number of incidents on aircraft and enhance the safety of airline passengers."
