With the summer travel season here, many consumers are wondering about traveling on vacation with their vapor devices and liquids. Lithium batteries are often the most concerning aspect. Headlines appear almost every week of a cell phone, laptop, headphones, hoverboards and even vapor devices overheating or even exploding. The next most common concern is having liquids confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Read below about policies and practices that will safely and successfully get you to your destination!
TSA Rules Apply
– The FAA prohibits these devices in checked bags. Battery-powered E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems may only be carried in the aircraft cabin (in carry-on baggage or on your person). Check with your airline for additional restrictions. Remove all electronic cigarette and vaping devices from carry-on bags if checked at the gate or planeside.1
– You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, including e-liquids, in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.2
– Amtrak prohibits use of devices on its trains, Thruway buses and stations. Vaping is allowed in designated smoking areas.3
Packing Safety
– Do not place batteries in pockets, pouches or bags that contain coins, keys or other metallic objects. These things may come into contact with the batteries, complete an electrical circuit and could cause the battery to overheat. Many shops will provide free battery cases to customers with a battery purchase. Don’t throw those cases away!
– Remember to pack the original charger. Never use a phone or laptop charger to charge your device.
– If traveling to a foreign country, be sure to check what type of electrical outlets are common there. U.S.-style plugs may not work in the outlets of some countries and a special charging plug may be needed.
– If leaving your device in a purse or carry-on bag, remove the batteries or lock the firing button. If your device doesn’t have a locking mechanism, consider getting a device for travel that has safety features, such as the firing button lock, vent holes and overcharging protection.
Hotels and Motels
– Some hotels and motels still have smoking rooms, except in states and cities where smoking is prohibited. Check the hotel web site for smoking policies, as many now include vaping. You can also look up many state and local vaping laws on CASAA’s Find My State Info pages.
– Vaping is typically allowed in smoking rooms. However, use caution when exhaling large amounts of vapor, as excess vapor is known to have triggered hotel smoke alarms.
– Do not assume vaping is allowed in non-smoking rooms simply because vapor products do not create smoke. There have been several reports of hotel staff reporting vapers as smoking in their room, resulting in financial penalties for the guest.
Other Safety Considerations
– Never charge your batteries or rechargeable device overnight or unattended.
– Do not use batteries with peeling wrappers, are nicked, dented, bulging, or have been dropped.
– Do not expose your device or batteries to extreme temperatures, such as in a hot or freezing vehicle.
– Only use batteries recommended for your device.
– Do not mix old and new batteries or different brands.
– Do NOT make modifications to your device, including those which could block any ventilation holes or slots. Those holes or slots remove heat and/or allow venting gas to escape safely.
– Keep e-liquids away from the reach of children. It’s highly recommended that e-liquids be stored in bottles with child-resistant caps.
For more information on battery safety read CASAA’s guide: Battery Safety Making Peace with Power: A Guideline to the use and storage of portable power sources for Electronic Cigarette Consumers.
