An exploded smartphone (via @NYPD)

An exploded smartphone (via @NYPD)

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 phone is officially considered a “forbidden hazardous material” for the purposes of flying. Effective tomorrow, the Department of Transportation has banned the smartphones from all flights.

“We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. “We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”

Dozens of people have reported their phones catching fire. Several cases resulted in injuries, including a Brooklyn child and an Ohio man who is suing after his exploding phone resulted in second- and third-degree burns.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has been urging consumers to turn off their Galaxy Note7’s and exchange them for other phones. “When these batteries overheat and burst, the results can be dangerous,” the CPSC said in a statement. “These incidents have occurred while charging and during normal use.” And the FAA previously requested that anyone onboard an airplane to “power down, and not use, charge, or stow in checked baggage.” Still, a powered-down, replacement Note7 exploded while passengers were boarding a Southwest plane last week.

The new DOT directive forbids them entirely from flights, days after Samsung halted all sales of the Note7 and issued a second recall to include replacement devices. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has granted the company a special permit to ship the recalled devices back by grand transportation, according to DOT. The whole debacle is expected to cost the company at least $5.3 billion.

“The fire hazard with the original Note7 and with the replacement Note7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall,” CPSC chairman Elliot F. Kaye said today.

Anyone caught attempting to travel with the device could face fines, though the TSA won’t be actively searching for them during security screenings, according to Gizmodo.