TSA says electric toothbrushes with lithium batteries must travel in carry-ons, not checked bags
Agency reminded fliers on Facebook that installed and spare lithium batteries should be kept in the cabin amid a surge in battery-related aircraft incidents.
The Transportation Security Administration warned travelers that electric toothbrushes with installed lithium batteries are prohibited from checked baggage and should be packed in carry-on bags.
"Traveling with your electric toothbrush, or other items that buzz? If they have an installed lithium battery you should pack them in your carry-on bag," the agency wrote in a Facebook post published this week. It added: "Any spare or uninstalled lithium batteries must be placed in a carry-on bag."
The guidance, reiterated by the TSA on Sept. 6, 2025, follows reports of an increase in lithium battery–related fires aboard aircraft in recent months. The agency cited the hazards posed by lithium cells as the rationale for the reminder and listed other common consumer items that contain lithium batteries, including certain cell phones, cell phone battery charging cases, laptops and cameras.
The TSA's post did not announce a new rulemaking package; rather, it restated existing guidance about how batteries and devices containing lithium cells should be transported. The administration has for years advised that devices with installed lithium batteries be carried in the passenger cabin, where crews can respond quickly to a thermal event, and that spare batteries be kept in carry-on baggage.
Airlines and aviation regulators have highlighted that lithium-ion batteries can overheat, short-circuit or ignite under certain conditions, and such fires can be difficult to control in the cargo hold. Recent incidents and an uptick in reported battery-related events prompted the TSA to emphasize the reminder on social media as passengers prepare for travel.
Travelers planning trips are advised to check carriers' specific policies and the TSA's official website for the latest instructions on permitted items. Passengers with questions about particular devices or battery types can consult airline customer-service channels or the TSA before arriving at the airport to avoid delays and potential confiscation of prohibited items.
The reminder underscores the broader safety challenge posed by proliferating lithium-battery-powered devices in everyday life and the ongoing effort by transportation authorities to reduce risks associated with those batteries during air travel.