Using your hair straighteners in Saint Helena

Will my hair straighteners work in Saint Helena?

First check your hair straighteners can handle the voltage in Saint Helena:

• If your hair straighteners can run on 240 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can tell) then you'll only need to use a suitable power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your hair straighteners won't fit in the outlet.

If not then either:

• Use dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] - you may still need to use the correct power adapter for Saint Helena but these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.

Buy travel hair straighteners for Saint Helena

• Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this enables you to use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with a 240 volt St Helenian power outlet, however this is noticeably bulkier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A voltage transformer will change the voltage but won't change the actual shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the types of wall outlet used in Saint Helena, therefore please check that the power converter comes with an appropriate power adapter for Saint Helena otherwise you will need to purchase another power adapter. Also worth noting that your own personal hair straighteners might not be suitable for travel and you could risk damage in your luggage. [5] [AD]

Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 240 volts you run the potential risk of an electrical fire hazard, blowing a fuse or damage to your hair straighteners. Before using your hair straighteners in Saint Helena check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Saint Helena power outlets and plug sockets

What mains voltage is used in Saint Helena?

Power outlets in Saint Helena are 240 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in Saint Helena?

The frequency of the current from a St Helenian power outlet is 50 Hz. [6]

Which plug adapter will you need when using hair straighteners in Saint Helena?

The type of power outlet used in Saint Helena is type G. This plug outlet, technically called a type G power outlet, can be identified by the 3 vertical holes forming a triangle pattern. A Type G plug adapter is suitable for powering 240 volt hair straighteners in Saint Helena - read the step-by-step guide below for full details of using hair straighteners in Saint Helena using a travel adapter. Please note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to see if you also need to use a power converter.  [4] [7] [AD]

Plug adapters for Saint Helena

Dual voltage hair straighteners

How can I tell if my hair straighteners are dual voltage?

The method to tell if your hair straighteners can accept a dual voltage power outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug or the handle of your hair straighteners. The location might vary depending on the make and model of your hair straighteners and could also be written in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage hair straighteners can change automatically but other models will feature a button which allows you to operate between different regions.

• A specific number such as 110V indicates single voltage hair straighteners. If this number matches the 240 volts used in Saint Helena then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a St Helenian power outlet.
• A small voltage range with a dash such as 100-120V also indicates single voltage hair straighteners which can accomodate small voltage fluctuations. If the 240 volts used in a St Helenian power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you can use it in Saint Helena.
• A larger voltage range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in Saint Helena or any other country.

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Travelling to Saint Helena with hair straighteners

Is it safer to bring my travel hair straighteners or domestic hair straighteners to Saint Helena?

Bringing dual voltage travel hair straighteners are preferable to packing your existing hair straighteners as it ensures that they'll work with the 240 volt power outlets used with a St Helenian power outlet, provided that you use the correct plug adapter for Saint Helena. Note that packing expensive domestic hair straighteners might place them at risk due to potential loss or damage in your check in luggage by airport baggage handlers. The costs of repairing or replacing expensive quality hair straighteners in Saint Helena might overshadow the costs of purchasing cheap dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] beforehand to bring along with you. If you intend to pack your own hair straighteners in your luggage either slot them inside a boot or sneaker to protect from light damage, or use a heat resistant and shockproof hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which will also allow the hair straighteners to be packed whilst hot without risk of burning.   [8] [9] [AD]

Can you carry on hair straighteners in your luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there are no restrictions when bringing mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also suggests that you should verify that your airline who is taking you to Saint Helena will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. Packing your hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible when going through airport security checks, they can be packed away quickly avoiding a tangle of power cables in your carry on luggage (the TSA suggests wrapping cables tightly around hair straighteners). If you do intend to pack fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is advisable to bring hard carry on luggage as this provides the most protection against knocks and drops during your journey.    [2] [8] [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Saint Helena

Can you use your hair straighteners with a converter for Saint Helena?

A voltage transformer (or power converter) allows hair straighteners using a different voltage to operate using a 240 volt power outlet used in Saint Helena. Travellers wishing to bring their own hair straighteners can use a power converter, however it can be a lot less expensive to purchase dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] than it is to purchase a power converter. Also worth noting, a power converter is substantially heavier than travel hair straighteners making a power converter less suitable for packing in luggage. [5] [AD]

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a power adapter?

A heavy and bulky power converter will convert a 240 volt St Helenian power outlet to work with non-240 volt hair straighteners, but a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to slot into a power outlet found in Saint Helena. [5] [AD]

Hair straightener safety

Are hair straighteners dangerous?

The temperature of the ceramic plates used in hair straighteners can reach over 200 degrees with the potential to burn hair, skin, and even start a fire if not used correctly. According to figures from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service electrical beauty products have been responsible for an estimated 650,000 fires in the United Kingdom alone.

How can I minimise risk using hair straighteners?

• Skin protection: Wear heat resistant gloves during styling to protect hands from heat.
• Children's protection: With 10% of children's burns being caused by hair straighteners it is recommended to look for flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag to keep the plates closed shut when not in use, making it easier to store out of reach of children.
• Luggage protection: Placing hair straighteners directly into luggage without allowing them to cool down can risk damage to clothes and heating up combustible or flammable packed items. If your hair straighteners weren't supplied with a heat protective cap then wrap them in a heat resistant mat or use a hot tools travel case to pack them into luggage whilst warm. A travel case will also keep expensive hair straighteners protected from damage during transit.
• Hair protection: Applying a heat protectant spray prior to using hair straighteners is essential to prevent burning, as well as using the correct technique for your hair type - read our guide on how to use hair straighteners for comprehensive information.
• Fire protection: It can take up to 40 minutes for hair straighteners to cool down so resting your straighteners on a heat resistant mat could reduce the risk of setting fire to furniture. Forgetting to turn off hot domestic appliances can also cause fires. This risk can be reduced by using a model of straightener with a timer socket which will turn itself off automatically after a certain length of time, you can also add this feature to any basic straighteners by using a timer socket in a power outlet.    [8] [9] [12] [13] [14] [15] [AD]

How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

1 in 12 owners of hair straighteners admit to forgetting to turn them off after use, unless your hair straighteners have a built in automatic timer then leaving them on could potentially start a fire. However you can add this functionality to any model even if it doesn't have an integrated timer:

1. Add an automatic timer to any hair straighteners by plugging them into a timer socket then plugging the timer into a power outlet.
2. Turn on the timer and use the hair straighteners as normal.
3. After you have finishing using the hair straighteners turn off the power at the outlet.
4. However if you forget to turn the power outlet off then the timer will automatically switch off the straighteners after a pre-set length of time. Depending on the model of timer this could be 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes - ideally pick the shortest length of time possible.
5. For added peace of mind use a power outlet splitter to share the outlet from the timer with both your hair straighteners and a lamp. When the timer is running both the straighteners and the lamp will be turned on, making the lamp a clear indicator that the straighteners are still being heated. When leaving a room it is second nature to ensure all lights are turned off, if the lamp is still on then this acts as a reminder to switch off the straighteners.

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How to treat a hot iron burn

If you accidentally burn yourself run cold water under your burn and if it is severe it is advised to seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital.

How to use hair straighteners in Saint Helena using a type G power adapter

How to power your hair straighteners in Saint Helena with a 3 pronged Type G power adapter.

1. Ensure that the hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] or works with a 240 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then don't attempt these instructions because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your hair straighteners or blow a fuse. Dual voltage hair straighteners sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating your hair straighteners ensure you have set it to the 240 volt setting to use in Saint Helena - consult the owners manual to find out where this switch is found.
2. If the plug shape on your hair straighteners isn't the same shape as the outlet which is used in Saint Helena you'll need to buy a Type G plug adapter ^[4]. This plug adapter is designed to convert different plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet found in Saint Helena simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of the hair straighteners to work with a 240 volt outlet.
3. Begin the process by plugging the Type G plug adapter into the power outlet. The wall outlet (technically called the Type G power outlet ^[3]) can be recognised by 3 rectangular slots containing shutters in a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
4. After that plug in your hair straighteners into the Type G plug adapter.
5. Turn on the St Helenian power outlet.
6. You can now turn on your straighteners for use in Saint Helena. [AD]

See also

• What can I connect to a St Helenian power outlet?
• What can I connect to hair straighteners?

External links

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1. Wikipedia - Saint Helena Wikipedia page
2. Amazon - dual voltage travel hair straighteners
3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
4. Type G plug adapter - An earthed BS 1363 certified UK power adapter, featuring a fuse to protect against overload and consequent fire risks. Ideal for use in over 50 countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, and also in international cities like Dubai and Hong Kong..
5. Power converter - Heavy-duty power converters are designed to convert voltage levels between different electrical standards, shifting between 110V/120V and 220V/240V with both 50Hz and 60Hz, often incorporating safety features such as fuse protection and circuit breakers..
6. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country - October 2017
7. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location - October 2017
8. Hard case for hot tools - Hard case designed for storing and protecting a flat irons, curling irons and hair straighteners.
9. Heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons - Protects surfaces from hot hair irons and wraps around the appliance allowing instant packing into baggage.
10. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for hair straighteners - October 2017
11. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.
12. Heat resistant gloves for hair styling - Heat resistant glove recommended to protect skin against the risk of heat from a curling iron, flat iron or hair dryer.
13. Heat protectant spray - Thermal protector spray used prior to styling with heated tools such as blow dryers and flat irons.
14. Energy saving outlet with timer - Automatic power shut down of a connected appliance after a preset length of time.
15. Flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag - Example of hair straighteners with a protective bag suitable for travel.
16. Power outlet splitter - A power outlet splitter transforms a single wall outlet into multiple AC outlets which is a practical solution for using multiple appliances in locations with limited access to power outlets, such as hotels or airports..