FAA was of potentially 'catastrophic' battery explosions - CNET

The Federal Aviation Administration wants airlines to think twice about carrying lithium batteries. But don't worry, you're still allowed to bring your laptop and phone with you on a flight.

The FAA on Tuesday issued a safety alert urging airlines to examine the risks associated with transporting lithium batteries as cargo, including "the potential risk for a catastrophic hull loss." The alert covers batteries being transported as components and not those already inside devices such as laptops, tablets, phones or hoverboards.

The agency didn't mince words about the risks.

"FAA battery fire testing has highlighted the potential risk of a catastrophic aircraft loss due to damage resulting from a lithium battery fire or explosion," the FAA said in a press release. "Current cargo fire suppression systems cannot effectively control a lithium battery fire."

The potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries have been highlighted recently following a deluge of dramatic hoverboard fires, including some caught in videos. (Things heat up at the 1:53 mark.) But we've been living the risk of potentially deadly explosions in our pockets and laptop bags for years.