If damaged or faulty, they can overheat and potentially cause a fire on board an aircraft.

Birmingham Airport passengers are being urged to follow lithium battery safety advice before flying, with travellers reminded to pack power banks, vapes and other rechargeable devices correctly and know what to do if a battery overheats.

The advice comes as families prepare to travel during the October school holidays, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launching a new safety checklist to help passengers recognise the warning signs of a battery incident and respond quickly.

Birmingham Airport already advises passengers to keep electrical items in their hand luggage during security screening. The latest CAA guidance reinforces the importance of following airline rules when travelling with devices containing rechargeable lithium batteries.

These batteries are commonly found in mobile phones, tablets, laptops, e-cigarettes and portable power banks. However, if damaged or faulty, they can overheat and potentially cause a fire on board an aircraft.

Passengers departing from Birmingham are being reminded to follow six key safety steps:

Keep power banks in hand luggage and check airline restrictions on size and quantity.
Never charge a power bank during a flight.
Check with the airline before using a power bank on board and keep it easily accessible.
If a phone, tablet, vape or power bank becomes unusually hot, switch it off, stop charging it and alert cabin crew immediately.
If a device begins smoking, notify cabin crew straight away.
Always carry vapes in the cabin and never use them on board an aircraft.

The CAA's research found that awareness of lithium battery travel rules had increased to 86 per cent among recent flyers, compared with 81 per cent the previous year. However, 31 per cent of passengers surveyed still incorrectly believed items containing lithium batteries should be packed in checked luggage.

More than half of passengers surveyed also said they now travel with a power bank, highlighting the need for clear safety advice as portable charging devices become increasingly common.

Glenn Bradley, the CAA's head of flight operations, said passengers needed to understand not only where to pack their devices but how to react if something went wrong.

He said recognising warning signs and alerting cabin crew quickly could make an important difference to safety.

For Birmingham Airport passengers, the message is to check their airline's requirements before travelling, ensure battery-powered devices are packed appropriately and report any signs of overheating immediately.