THE Bahamas has joined a number of aviation authorities around the world by urging passengers not to turn on or charge Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on board planes or stow them in checked baggage.

The Department of Civil Aviation on Sunday issued a notice to airlines and the public warning them of the safety risks involving the Samsung jumbo phones, which are subject to a global recall over the device’s reported propensity to burst into flames due to a battery defect.

“The Department of Civil Aviation (CAD) strongly advises per the recent press releases with respect to the safety risk of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices, that passengers not turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not stow them in any checked baggage,” the notice said.

“The BCAA looks forward to the full co-operation of airline operators and the traveling public in this regard as we collectively seek to ensure safe travel. The public is urged to take note.”

Samsung Electronics recalled 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s earlier this month just two weeks after their launch because of dozens of reported cases in which lithium batteries exploded or caught fire. The South Korean electronics firm - the largest smartphone manufacturer in the world - says the problem stems from a manufacturing glitch in the batteries.