The Modern Summer Packing List
From Walkmans to Power Banks: How a Summer Trip to the Great Outdoors Became a Dangerous Goods Conversation
There was a time when preparing for a summer trip to the great outdoors was simple.
If you grew up a few decades ago, your entertainment might have been a cassette player—maybe a Sony Walkman—powered by a couple of alkaline AA cells. That was about as technical as things got. No charging cables, no lithium batteries, and very few pressurized containers beyond the occasional fuel source.
Today’s Packing List Looks Different
Fast forward to today, and the packing list looks very different—whether you’re heading to a cottage, a campground, or anywhere in between.
Now you might be bringing smartphones, tablets, laptops, wireless headsets, power banks, e-cigarettes, aerosol sunscreen, insect repellent, and small propane cylinders for cooking. Individually, these items are everyday essentials. But collectively, they represent a range of dangerous goods classifications under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations—often carried without much thought.
Same Trip, Different Risks
The difference between generations isn’t just convenience—it’s chemistry.
What Today’s Gear Introduces
Today’s gear introduces:
- Lithium batteries (Class 9) in phones, laptops, and power banks
- Flammable gases (Class 2.1) in small propane cylinders
- Aerosols (Class 2) in bug spray and sunscreen
- Flammable solids (Class 4.1) like strike-anywhere matches
Years ago, the risk profile was relatively low. Today, you’re effectively packing multiple hazard classes into a single vehicle.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring these items—it just means you should understand what you’re carrying.
A Quick Note Before You Go
If you’re wondering how all of this is allowed in a personal vehicle, you’re not alone.
There is an exemption within the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations that permits individuals to transport certain quantities of dangerous goods for personal use—such as bringing items home from a general store and taking them along on road trips like this.
For a clearer explanation of how this works and when it applies, please refer to my previous blog on the 150 kg gross mass exemption, where I break it down in more detail.
Lithium Batteries: Small Device, Big Energy
Modern electronics rely on lithium batteries, which are efficient but sensitive.
One of the biggest risks during a road trip is unintentional activation or damage. A laptop or tablet shifting in the back seat, powering on inside a bag, or overheating in a hot vehicle can create conditions for thermal runaway—a self-sustaining reaction that can lead to fire.
A simple precaution?
Make sure devices are fully powered off, protected from movement, and not exposed to excessive heat—especially if stored in the rear of a vehicle where you won’t notice a problem right away.
Propane Cylinders: Convenient but Pressurized
Those small, single-use propane cylinders used for outdoor cooking are easy to pack—and easy to overlook.
They fall under Class 2.1 – flammable gases, and like any pressurized container, they present a risk if:
- Damaged during transport
- Exposed to heat
- Allowed to leak in an enclosed space
If a cylinder releases gas inside a vehicle, it can displace air and create a flammable atmosphere. Proper storage—ideally upright, secured, and in a well-ventilated area—is a simple but important step.
Aerosols and Sprays: Heat Changes Everything
Insect repellent and sunscreen in aerosol form are staples of any summer trip. But these products are pressurized and often flammable.
Left in a hot vehicle, they can:
- Build internal pressure
- Leak or rupture
- Become ignition sources if exposed to flame or sparks
They’re easy to forget about—until something goes wrong.
When Items Interact
What makes modern travel more complex isn’t just the individual hazards—it’s the combination.
A damaged lithium battery near flammable materials, a leaking aerosol in a confined space, or a propane cylinder exposed to heat can quickly turn a routine trip into a dangerous situation.
These aren’t extreme scenarios—they’re the result of normal items being stored without considering how they behave together.
Disposal: Leave No Trace—Including Hazardous Materials
Spending time outdoors often comes with the principle of leaving no trace—but that should also apply to hazardous materials.
- Lithium batteries should be returned to proper recycling programs
- Empty or damaged propane cylinders should not be left behind
- Aerosols should never be burned or punctured
Improper disposal doesn’t just harm the environment—it can create hazards for others long after you’ve left.
Final Thought
A summer trip to the great outdoors hasn’t become more dangerous—but what we bring with us has changed.
What used to be a simple trip with a cooler and a cassette player has evolved into something far more energy-dense and chemically complex. Understanding that shift is key.
Because today, even a quiet getaway can involve a surprising amount of dangerous goods—and a little awareness goes a long way in keeping that trip safe.
Looking for guidance on lithium batteries, propane cylinders, or other dangerous goods? Explore our Help Center for practical compliance resources.
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