Ahead of REAL ID deadline, TSA bans these common items from checked luggage

While you're making sure you have your REAL ID ready for the Wednesday deadline, better check your luggage for portable chargers and power banks. As of March 1, 2025, these common travel items are no longer allowed in checked luggage.You can still bring them in your carry-on bags, though.The TSA announced the new ban after an exploding power bank was blamed for a fire that burst out in a Russian airplane in South Korea in January and forced evacuation of all 179 passengers and six crew, according to Reuters.In November 2024, a Southwest flight from Denver was forced to evacuate after a passenger's cellphone caught fire. Another Southwest folight heading to miami in April 2024 was forced to land in Palm Beach after the crew noticed an overheated cellphone smoking.Lithium-ion battery fires, which are difficult to extinguish, have also made headlines around the country from cellphones, burning Teslas and other electric vehicles, andeven a battery plant.In 2024, former state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (now a U.S. congressman) warned about fires resulting from electric vehicles getting flooded during hurricanes and tropical storms. One Charlotte County man died from smoke inhalation after a golf cart lithium battery exploded from storm surge flooding during Hurricane Milton.Cell phone battery fires on planes becoming more frequentThe Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News in November that the number of lithium-ion battery fires increased by more than 42% in the last five years. According to FAA data, there has been an average of at least one lithium battery incident on a passenger plane in the U.S. every week since 2021.What are lithium-ion batteries?Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that are commonly used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, watches and more. They can also pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged.The FAA banned spare, uninstalled lithium-ion metal batteries from checked-in luggage in 2020. That prohibition now also includes power banks and cell phone battery charging cases. This includes:Power banksCellphone battery charging casesRechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteriesCellphone batteriesLaptop batteriesExternal batteriesPortable rechargersTo check which items are allowed or banned on board, check the TSA's online search function."When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin," the FAA said in its guidance sheet. "The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit."What is a REAL ID?As of May 7, a REAL ID-compliant ID or other authorized identification will be required to board a commercial flight in the United States, or to enter many federal facilities, military facilities and nuclear power plants.The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, established minimum security standards for getting a license anywhere across the country and prohibited some federal agencies from accepting anything less, following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.Florida REAL ID: What if you can't get one by May 7? Can you still fly? Here are optionsWhat does a REAL ID look like? How can I tell if I have it?Florida drivers licenses and state-issued IDs that are REAL ID compliant have white stars in gold circles at the top right.If you've received a new or renewed Florida driver's license or ID since January 2010, you already have one. You can tell by looking for a gold circle with a white star in the middle at the upper right of the card.How do I get a REAL ID in Florida?You'll need to make an appointment at a local driver's license service center or tax collector office to get a new card. Locations can be found here.A Class E license can be renewed up to 18 months prior to the card’s expiration date.If you don't have one, you must appear in person to present identification documents. After that, you can renew online unless your name changes.Contributing: Alex Perry and Michelle Ganassi, USA TODAY NetworkThis article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lithium battery TSA ban includes phone chargers, power packs