Southwest Airlines sets new limit on chargers

This episode of the Kim Komando Daily Tech Update begins with a sponsored segment promoting WebRoot Essentials antivirus software, highlighting its top ranking in performance studies and offering a 62% discount for listeners. The main focus shifts to aviation safety as Kim Komando discusses the growing danger of lithium-ion battery fires on planes, citing 97 reported incidents in 2025 alone—nearly two per week. Southwest Airlines is spotlighted for becoming the first airline to enforce a strict one-charger-per-passenger rule, banning all other chargers from checked bags. The segment then features a powerful real-life story from David, a firefighter and pet owner, whose dog Colton chewed through a portable charger, triggering a thermal runaway fire in his living room. Thanks to a fire alarm system and a fire-retardant rug, the fire was contained without injury or major damage. David shares how the incident underscores the hidden dangers of lithium-ion batteries in everyday devices, including e-bikes and Teslas, and emphasizes the need for public education on fire safety. The episode concludes with a call to action to sign up for Kim’s free daily newsletter, The Current.