Portable battery packs – or so-called power banks – have become increasingly popular in recent years. Millions of us now have them tucked in our backpacks just in case that battery light on our iPhones or Android devices starts flashing red. They are also handy for long trips on trains and planes, when our smartphones are often used to watch movies and play games – two tasks that can make a serious dent in the power percentage.
A battery pack is clearly a good investment, but owning one does come with a warning. Power banks contain lithium-ion batteries, which, if damaged, can create aggressive fires that can release highly toxic fumes – a process known as thermal runaway.
These phone accessories can be a big risk if not bought from a reputable retailer or aren’t looked after properly.
One airline is now so concerned about these gadgets that it’s banning them from being used when in the air. Emirates states that its customers can still carry battery packs, but they must not charge their devices during flights.
“Using any kind of power bank is prohibited onboard Emirates’ flights, effective from 1 October 2025,” Emirates confirmed.
“Emirates provides in-seat charging on all aircraft, however, still recommends that customers fully charge their devices before flying, especially on longer duration flights.”
“After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.”
It’s clearly a concern. Now, in a bid to help consumers stay safe the team at Electrical Safety First, has issued some new advice about owning power packs.
“Power banks are popular travel items that keep you powered up on the go,” Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, explains. “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.”
The biggest tell-tale sign is if your power bank starts to bulge, swell or change shape.
“Swollen power banks are a sign of an internal failure and it may mean the device is at serious risk of catching fire, sparking a dangerous process called thermal runaway, where toxic fumes are expelled and a fire occurs,” 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.”
If you own or are thinking of buying a power pack, here’s the latest advice to follow.
• Do buy your power bank from a reputable high street retailer that you know and trust.
• Do stay up-to-date with product recalls and safety notices.
• Do keep it away from heat sources and liquids such as direct sunlight, humidity or water.
• Avoid buying your power bank from an online marketplace, as they have no legal responsibility for the safety of goods sold by third parties on their platforms, leaving you vulnerable to substandard products.
• Don’t charge your power bank overnight or whilst you are out of the house.
• Don’t expose it to extreme temperatures, for example, do not leave it in a parked car where it could get very cold in winter or very hot in summer.
• Don’t drop or roughly handle your power bank which may damage internal components.
• Don’t cover your power bank whilst charging that may increase the devices temperature unnecessarily and charge in a well-ventilated environment.