Anyone traveling for the Fourth of July is being reminded to double-check what is in their luggage, as the TSA has highlighted one party staple that cannot be taken onto a plane.
As the US gets ready to mark its 250th birthday, the Transportation Security Administration expects a huge wave of holiday traffic, with around 18.7 million people set to pass through airport security from June 30 to July 6.
The busiest day is forecast to be Friday, July 3, when roughly three million passengers are expected to fly out to spend Independence Day with friends and family.
That surge comes as TSA says it is fully staffed and prepared for the holiday rush, while also reminding travelers that the final responsibility for what ends up in a bag belongs to the passenger.
With that rush approaching, officials have pointed to a prohibited item likely to appear at many celebrations: sparklers.
Americans planning to fly before heading to a July 4 gathering are being advised to wait until they reach their destination before buying them.
Sparklers can burn at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius, making them risky to handle without care. Safety specialists also warn that children should not be using them.
Explaining the rules around banned items at security checkpoints, a TSA spokesperson said:
“Fireworks and sparklers are highly flammable and made from explosive materials. Because they are classified as hazardous, they are prohibited from being transported on aircraft in both checked baggage and carry-on bags.
“This restriction applies to all types and sizes, including but not limited to: aerial repeater fireworks, aerial shell fireworks, bottle rockets, chasers, firecrackers, flying spinners, fountains, ground spinners, missiles, parachute fireworks, poppers, Roman candles, skyrockets, smoke fireworks, snakes, snaps, sparklers, strobes, and wheels.”
The agency also stressed that passengers are responsible ‘for the items that they pack in their checked bags and carry-on bags’.
For travelers who do want to celebrate once they arrive, the safest option is to leave fireworks at home and buy local supplies at their destination instead of trying to fly with them.
Passengers who are unsure about a specific item are also encouraged to check TSA’s prohibited-items guidance or use the agency’s “What Can I Bring?” tool before heading to the airport.
For the upcoming holiday rush, the TSA says all checkpoints will be ‘fully staffed’.
TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said:
“[We] are prepared to welcome these travelers and handle the large passenger volumes expected during the Fourth of July holiday period.
“We’ve implemented significant technology enhancements at key airports for the historic FIFA World Cup 2026 as well as for America 250 celebrations across the country.
“TSA is working closely with federal, state and local partners to safeguard the traveling public and manage security for large-scale public events.”
The TSA added that passengers are already ‘experiencing faster screening lanes’ while still being protected by ‘the highest levels of security’ ahead of the busy holiday stretch.
Beyond the July 4 travel spike, US customs and border operations are also expected to be busy this summer as international travelers arrive for major events and peak vacation season.