Warning issued to anyone with a power bank as | Tech News

Power banks have boomed in recognition in recent times, and it’s not arduous to see why. These equipment will be a lifesaver for anyone whose telephone, pill or laptop computer is operating low on battery and isn’t close to a plug. However, regardless of their apparent benefits, shopping for a low-cost power bank and never trying after it might put you and others at critical risk, particularly when travelling by air.

Recent stats from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show stories of overheating or malfunctioning gadgets almost doubled between 2024 and 2025.

For these not conscious, power banks include lithium-ion batteries, which, if broken, can create aggressive fires that may release poisonous fumes – a course of identified as thermal runaway.

If this occurs in an enclosed space, it may be extraordinarily critical.

“Power banks are popular travel items that keep you powered up on the go,” Giuseppe Capanna, product security 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.”

It’s now important that buyers observe some easy guidelines when shopping for and proudly owning a power bank.

These embrace solely buying them from a respected source and taking care of them. One of the most important tell-tale indicators that one thing could possibly be flawed is that if your power bank begins to bulge, swell or change form.

“Swollen power banks are a sign of an internal failure and it may mean the device is at 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.”

Along with solely shopping for official banks and in search of injury, different guidelines to observe embrace holding the power bank out of excessive circumstances, such as heat and cold.

It’s additionally a dangerous concept to charge your power bank in a single day or if you are out of the home.

Finally, do not cowl your power bank while charging, as which will increase the gadget’s temperature unnecessarily and charge in a well-ventilated setting.