Travel column with Katie Butler, Total Travel: Fly safely with batteries and pack them correctly
As we head into August, airports are getting busier, the sun cream is being dug out from the back of the cupboard and thousands of us across Yorkshire are dreaming of swapping the warm but cloudy weather for guaranteed sunshine, a cold pint by the pool and somebody else worrying about what to cook for tea.
But before you zip that suitcase shut, there is one thing worth checking – and it could save you a headache at the airport.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has warned that more passengers are putting electrical gadgets in the wrong place, and it is causing safety concerns as well as delays. In fact, incidents involving lithium batteries have almost doubled over the last year, with around two happening every week.
Now, I know what you're thinking – "It'll never happen to me."
But then again, we've all stood in the security queue muttering because someone forgot they have packed a bottle of pop in their hand luggage!
The biggest culprits are power banks and vapes, but it's not just those. Laptops, tablets, cameras, Bluetooth speakers, smart watches, wireless headphones, e-readers and even those little handheld fans that have become holiday essentials – all contain lithium batteries.
The golden rule is simple: if it contains a lithium battery, it should usually travel with you in your cabin bag, not tucked away in the hold. If one of these batteries overheats, cabin crew can deal with it quickly. Hidden in the aircraft hold, it's a very different story.
Different airlines can have their own rules too, so it's always worth having a quick look before you head off to the airport. It is also worth giving your gadgets a once-over before you travel. If a battery looks swollen, damaged or gets unusually hot, don't be tempted to chance it. It's better to replace it than risk spoiling your holiday before you've even reached the departure gate. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to be the person delaying a flight because of a rogue power bank.
Talking of holidays, I can't let July pass without saying a huge thank you to all our wonderful customers and, just as importantly, our fantastic teams in Heckmondwike, Ossett and Brighouse. The shops have been absolutely buzzing over the last few weeks, with people collecting tickets, planning winter sunshine and grabbing some cracking late deals.
July has been one of our strongest sales months we've ever seen outside of the traditional January rush, and that's all thanks to the incredible support from our local community and the hard work of our brilliant staff.
As always, here's a quick look at what everyone has been booking. August 2026 was once again the most popular departure month, accounting for 20 per cent of bookings, followed by September with 15 per cent and October with nine per cent. Nearly half of all bookings made last week were for late getaways, with over a quarter of customers travelling within the next six weeks.
And where is everyone heading? Majorca takes top spot once again, followed by Tenerife, with Turkey’s Dalaman area completing the top three.