The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reported that incidents of power banks overheating or malfunctioning nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, prompting urgent safety warnings for consumers.
Why Power Banks Pose a Risk
Power banks contain lithium-ion batteries that hold a large amount of energy in a small space. If damaged, they can undergo thermal runaway, releasing toxic fumes and causing aggressive fires. This risk is especially high in enclosed spaces like aircraft cabins.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: "Power banks are popular travel items that keep you powered up on the go. But they contain lithium-ion batteries which can hold a sizable amount of energy in a very small space, so can pose a serious fire risk if they become damaged or are manufactured to a substandard level."
Key Safety Rules
To reduce risk, consumers should follow these guidelines:
- Only purchase power banks from reputable sources.
- Check for swelling, bulging, or shape changes, which indicate internal failure.
- If damaged, do not travel with the device; dispose of it safely at a recycling centre with dedicated electronics facilities.
- Avoid exposing power banks to extreme heat or cold.
- Do not charge power banks overnight or while unattended.
- Charge in a well-ventilated area and do not cover the device during charging.
Impact on Travellers
With summer travel season approaching, the CAA advises all passengers to inspect their power banks before flying. A swollen or damaged power bank should never be packed in hand luggage or checked baggage.
Capanna added: "If you notice any damage or deformation to your power bank when you’re packing for your holiday abroad, don’t bring the device with you. Instead, safely dispose of it as soon as possible at a local recycling centre that has dedicated facilities for electronics and batteries."
