Packing for a trip just got a little more…electric! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially warned travelers to keep their electric toothbrushes out of checked luggage, citing (wait for it!) a potential fire hazard. Yes, your trusty toothbrush has joined the ranks of items capable of spontaneous combustion mid-flight. The TSA’s new guidance concerns lithium batteries. These small batteries power phones and laptops, which can overheat or even catch fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supports the move, noting that damaged lithium batteries are fire risks during flights. Officials say this isn’t a ban, though, as we can still pack devices in carry-ons. They’re urging people to handle electronics with care to prevent accidents. If you do check your electric toothbrush, it must be powered off and protected to prevent it from switching on mid-flight.
Here’s the deal: lithium batteries, though small, can pack quite the punch. As the FAA noted in its September alert, fires caused by these batteries are easier to manage inside the cabin (where flight attendants can respond quickly) than in the cargo hold, where your suitcase could quietly ignite next to someone’s designer shoes. The TSA has cracked down on personal grooming gadgets before. Earlier this summer, it also banned certain cordless curling irons and flat irons from checked luggage due to similar fire risks.
If it heats, charges, or hums, it’s probably better off within arm’s reach!
@AskTSA – Can I carry my Burst electric toothbrush through TSA? pic.twitter.com/plRwYkfvUV
— Solomon (@KhesrawKamal) May 5, 2021
According to ABC San Diego, the FAA warns that any device with a built-in battery must stay in the cabin. This covers e-cigarettes as well as tablets, laptops, and electric toothbrushes. Because if something catches fire mid-air, accessibility is everything. If you think the toothbrush thing is wild, wait until you browse the TSA’s official list of what can and can’t fly. You can’t pack bear spray (obviously), but you can take a blender as long as you remove the blade. E-cigarettes? Carry-on only, and make sure they don’t turn on accidentally. And that giant can of cooking spray? Straight to the “absolutely not” pile.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggests some rules might be up for debate soon. Speaking to NewsNation, she said she’s been questioning TSA practices and hinted at what might be next on the chopping block. “The day I walked in the door, I started questioning everything TSA does,” she said. “The liquids [rule] (…) may be the next big announcement.” But for now, it’s your toothbrush under scrutiny. So keep your battery-powered devices in your carry-on. Make sure they’re switched off or locked to prevent accidental activation. And maybe don’t pack a dozen extra lithium batteries — unless you enjoy awkward conversations with TSA officers!
At the end of the day, flight attendants can’t douse flames in the cargo hold, but they can in the cabin So if you’d like to avoid starring in the next viral TSA video, give your toothbrush a seat up top. It’s better to arrive with clean teeth than a fiery suitcase.
NEXT UP: TSA Plans to Remove Major Rule That Frustrates Every Passenger at Security Checkpoints
