What is the primary concern with carrying items that have lithium batteries?

Carrying items that have lithium batteries poses a significant potential fire hazard, which is the primary concern. Lithium batteries can overheat, catch fire, or even explode if they are damaged, improperly manufactured, or subjected to extreme conditions such as puncturing, short-circuiting, or exposure to high temperatures.

The risk is particularly acute in transportation settings where cargo is packed tightly, and fire can spread quickly. Incidents involving lithium batteries in air transport have led to serious safety protocols and regulations, highlighting the importance of proper handling and storage of these items.

While weight restrictions, regulatory complexities, and durability of the item are considerations when transporting various goods, they do not directly address the critical safety issues that lithium batteries can present, making the fire hazard the foremost concern.