Battery warning for passengers from CAA
The CAA has warned against posting Christmas gifts containing lithium batteries or carrying them on flights.
The aviation regulator claims batteries pose a safety risk and can short circuit or overheat in the confined, pressurised environment of a plane.
Lithium batteries, used in MP3 players, digital cameras, camcorders and laptops, are believed to have started fires when not treated properly on aircraft.
Last month a mobile phone caught fire on a Boeing 747 inbound to London Heathrow after being crushed by a seat as a passenger reclined. Cabin crew were able to extinguish the fire before any serious damage occurred.
Geoff Leach, manager of the dangerous goods office at the CAA, said: “Over the coming weeks many people will be sending gifts in the post.
“If these presents are electronic devices, we urge the sender not to include any lithium batteries.
“We have seen a number of serious incidents in the last couple of years in which these batteries are believed to have started fires in cargo shipments. Some lithium batteries are permitted in passenger baggage, but specific conditions apply; details of these can be found on the CAA web site.”
See the dangerous goods section of the CAA website.
By Diane Evans
Diane
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