If you tend to travel with loose batteries in your luggage take note—-beginning January 1st the Transportation Department is banning lithium batteries from checked baggage. The new mandate is designed to reduce the risk of fires. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, fire-protection systems in the cargo hold of passenger planes can’t put out fires sparked in lithium batteries. Which means loose lithium batteries can no longer be packed in checked bags. You can still carry lithium batteries in your checked bags if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cellphones and laptop computers. Also, you can travel … Continue reading →