TSA’s New Bans on Personal Care Items in Checked Bags: What Travelers Must Know
Stay informed about the TSA’s expanding list of banned personal care items in checked bags, and protect your travel plans and safety.
TSA Expands Personal Care Items Ban in Checked Baggage
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently updated its list of prohibited items in checked luggage, with a particular focus on personal care devices and electronics. This move follows growing safety concerns—especially in-flight fire risks—associated with lithium-ion batteries and flammable materials commonly found in beauty and grooming tools.
Why Has the TSA Changed the Rules?
The heightened restrictions target a significant and growing risk: lithium-ion battery fires onboard aircraft. The incidence of in-flight fires caused by overheating or malfunctioning batteries has increased by 15% over the past five years. In 2024 alone, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded 89 such incidents—the most in any single year. These fires are largely fueled by a phenomenon known as thermal runaway, where damaged batteries experience a rapid, uncontrollable temperature increase, resulting in smoke, fire, or even explosions.
Most travelers routinely pack electronic devices in their luggage. According to industry surveys:
- 2 in 5 passengers place rechargeable devices in checked bags.
- The average traveler carries at least four lithium-powered devices on a typical journey.
- Smartphones and laptops are the most common, but hair tools and electric toothbrushes are also prevalent.
Personal Care Devices: What’s Now Banned or Restricted?
The latest TSA guidance zeroes in on cordless curling irons, flat irons, and straighteners—specifically those powered by gas or butane cartridges. The expanded ban includes:
- Cordless curling irons containing gas or butane cartridges (including flat irons and styling wands)
- Butane gas refill cartridges for these devices
- Related spare cartridges, regardless of whether attached or separate
If found in checked bags, TSA agents will remove these items and turn them over to the airline as hazardous materials (HazMat). Travelers need to be particularly vigilant, as carrying such items could lead to delays or even fines.
Exceptions: What Is Still Allowed?
- Electric or corded styling irons: Allowed in both checked and carry-on bags.
- Cordless styling tools powered by gas cartridges: Permitted in carry-on bags only, under strict conditions:
- Only one device per passenger.
- Device must have a safety cover on its heating element.
- No spare or additional cartridges are permitted.
Other Grooming and Personal Care Items Under Scrutiny
- Electric toothbrushes: Must be packed in carry-on baggage if they contain a lithium battery. Spare/uninstalled lithium batteries should never be in checked bags.
- Aerosol sprays (e.g., hairspray, deodorant): Only small containers (generally 3.4 oz / 100 ml or less) are allowed in carry-on; many larger aerosol items including spray starch, bug repellents, or industrial adhesives are prohibited from both checked and carry-on luggage.
- Bear spray, bug spray, and spray paint: Banned in all luggage, regardless if sealed or new.
- Fire extinguishers and pressurized cans: Fully prohibited in both checked and carry-on due to risk of explosion or fire in pressurized cabins.
Understanding the Risks: Lithium-Ion Batteries and Flammable Materials
Battery-powered personal care items—especially those containing lithium-ion batteries—pose containment issues in checked baggage because cargo holds aren’t designed for passenger access during a crisis. If a device overheats or catches fire mid-flight, crew cannot quickly intervene. Major airlines and federal safety agencies attribute several emergency landings in recent years to luggage fires sparked by lithium-powered devices in checked bags.
Similarly, gas-powered and aerosol personal care products are high-risk. Pressurized canisters (using butane, propane, etc.) can rupture or combust at altitude and under pressure changes in flight. Even small leaks can lead to dangerous incidents—cases like accidental bear spray discharge at airports have caused environmental hazards, evacuations, and significant delays.
What Other Common Items Are Banned in Checked Bags?
While TSA is focusing on beauty and care products, travelers should be aware of a broader range of items that are banned or highly restricted from checked luggage:
- Power banks and external batteries with lithium-ion cells (must go in carry-on only)
- Vape devices (carry-on only, with restrictions)
- Glues, solvents, and high-proof alcohol (restricted due to flammability)
- Firearms and ammunition (tightly regulated: must be declared and packaged per strict rules)
- Fireworks (completely banned)
- Fresh foods, especially produce and meats (subject to agricultural, customs, and airline policies)
| Item Type | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Butane/Gas styling irons | Yes (1 per person, w/ safety cover) | No |
| Lithium/changing batteries | Yes (installed or spare) | No |
| Power banks | Yes (must meet capacity guidelines & in sight) | No |
| Bear spray, bug spray, spray paint | No | No |
| Corded styling tools | Yes | Yes |
How Are Airlines Responding?
In the wake of the new TSA guidance, airlines are rolling out their own additional policies:
- Southwest Airlines: Portable charging devices must remain in sight if used during flight; charging in the overhead bin is prohibited.
- Emirates: Starting October 1, all use of portable chargers or power banks onboard is prohibited; no charging from a power bank or charging the bank itself mid-air. Devices can only be brought on board if under 100 kWh capacity.
- Several Asian carriers: Ban placing batteries in overhead bins or outright prohibit battery usage during flight.
Expect more airlines to follow suit—especially as new safety incidents emerge. Always check with your carrier for the latest rules before packing.
Are Travelers Aware of These Changes?
Despite frequent updates, many travelers remain uninformed about the rules and risks. Recent safety reports indicate:
- There is a significant lack of public awareness and widespread misbehavior around battery and hazardous goods packing.
- Many fliers incorrectly believe small personal electronics are always safe to check.
- Passengers expressed a desire for better, more frequent information about safe packing.
Effective awareness campaigns are vital and should be delivered at multiple contact points: airline websites, booking confirmations, airport signage, and pre-boarding announcements.
How to Safely Pack Your Personal Care and Electronic Devices
Stay hassle-free at the airport and avoid fines or flight disruptions by following these TSA-approved strategies:
- Review the TSA’s updated list of prohibited and restricted items before each trip.
- Pack all lithium battery-powered devices (including electric toothbrushes and shavers) in your carry-on, not checked bags.
- Limit to one cordless styling tool with gas cartridge in your carry-on, ensuring it has a safety cover. Do not bring extra cartridges.
- Leave prohibited sprays and flammable goods at home, or ship them if necessary.
- Check item labels for butane, propane, or lithium-ion warnings.
- Check with your airline for any additional or specific policy details before traveling.
Pro Traveler Tips
- If in doubt, don’t pack it—use non-flammable alternatives or buy supplies at your destination.
- Keep all devices fully charged and within reach in your carry-on.
- Read up on both TSA and airline-specific regulations; rules can vary by airline, country, and flight route.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I bring a cordless butane curling iron in my checked suitcase?
A: No. TSA bans any cordless curling iron or flat iron with a gas or butane cartridge from checked luggage. These may be allowed in your carry-on—one per person, with a safety cover and no spare cartridges.
Q: Are electric toothbrushes allowed in checked bags?
A: Only if the battery is not lithium-ion. If your toothbrush has a lithium battery, it must go in your carry-on. Any spare or uninstalled lithium batteries are also prohibited from checked bags.
Q: What about aerosol beauty products and personal sprays?
A: Small aerosols (like travel-sized hairspray under 3.4 oz/100 ml) are permitted in carry-ons with restrictions, but large cans, pressurized products, and hazardous sprays are banned from both checked and carry-on baggage.
Q: Are power banks, vape devices, and e-cigarettes permitted in checked luggage?
A: No. All lithium-powered devices and batteries—including power banks, vape devices, and spare lithium batteries—must be carried in your carry-on baggage only.
Q: What should I do if I’m not sure if an item is allowed?
A: Refer to the TSA’s official “What Can I Bring?” list and your airline’s policies before travel. When in doubt, leave it out or pack it in your carry-on where permitted.
Staying Safe and Informed: Final Guidance for Travelers
With travel patterns and technology ever-evolving, the policies on luggage contents—especially personal care and electronic items—will likely continue to adapt. The best way to ensure a smooth airport experience is to stay up to date, pack cautiously, and consult official sources before flying. Awareness and preparation remain your best defenses against travel disruptions and airborne hazards.
