Fires sparked in lithium batteries appear to be uncontrollable by the usual fire protection systems in place at the cargo hold of passenger planes. In an effort to help reduce the risk of fires, the US Transportation Department has disallowed packing of loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. However, those batteries that are installed in electronic devices such as cameras, cell phones and laptops are allowed. Batteries that are packed in plastic bags may be in a carryon baggage but is only limited to two (2) per passenger.
The ban will affect shipments of non-rechargeable lithium batteries. This development follows a cargo plane fire in at least one airport where lithium batteries were suspected as being the source. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has urged travelers to help prevent such similar incidences by doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or in a plastic zip-lock bag to avoid unintentional short circuiting and fire.