Using your hair straighteners in Fiji

Fijian power outlet

Will my hair straighteners work in Fiji?

First check your hair straighteners can handle the voltage in Fiji:

  • 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:

Buy travel hair straighteners for Fiji
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with a 240 volt Fijian power outlet, however this is significantly bulkier, heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A power converter changes the voltage but not the physical shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the wall outlet used in Fiji, therefore please check that the power converter includes a suitable power adapter for Fiji otherwise you will need to purchase another power adapter. Please note - your existing hair straighteners might not be suited for travelling and you risk potential damage in transit. [5] [AD]
Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 240 volts used in Fiji you run a risk of damage to your hair straighteners, an electrical fire hazard or a blown fuse. Prior to using your hair straighteners in Fiji please read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Fiji

Will my hair straighteners work in Fiji?

That will depend on if your hair straighteners can handle the 240 volt power outlets used in Fiji:

Will my American hair straighteners work in Fiji?

The guides on this page assume that you're a reader from America travelling to Fiji and will provide advice on using your US hair straighteners with a Fijian power outlet.

Fiji power outlets and plug sockets

What is the electrical frequency used in Fiji?

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

What mains voltage is used in Fiji?

Power outlets in Fiji are 240 volts.

Which travel adapter do you need to bring for using hair straighteners in Fiji?

The type of power outlet used in Fiji is type I. You can recognise this plug outlet by the three slots forming an upside-down triangular shape with a single vertical pin at the base and the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and ground blades. A Type I plug adapter is suitable for powering 240 volt hair straighteners in Fiji - read the step-by-step guide below for full details of how to use hair straighteners in Fiji. Please note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to see if you have to bring a power converter.  [4] [7] [AD]

Which travel adapter do you need to bring for using hair straighteners in Fiji?
Plug adapters for Fiji

Dual voltage hair straighteners

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

Single 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 handle or plug. This location will depend on the make or model of your hair straighteners, it could also be written in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage hair straighteners might change automatically but other models will feature a button which allows you to operate between different regions.

  • Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 240 volts used in Fiji then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a Fijian power outlet.
  • Single voltage might also have a small voltage range with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V. If the 240 volts used in a Fijian power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you should be able to use it in Fiji.
  • Dual voltage will say a larger voltage range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your hair straighteners will be capable of being used in Fiji or any other country if these numbers are shown.
 [2] [AD]

Travelling to Fiji with hair straighteners

Can you carry on hair straighteners in your luggage?

Travel hair straighteners with heat protective cap

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 hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA recommends that you should check that the airline which is flying you to Fiji will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

Packing the hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible by airport security, they can be packed away quickly and should avoid a tangle of wires in your carry on luggage (the TSA advices wrapping wires tightly around electric items such as 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 drops and knocks during transit.    [2] [8] [9] [10] [AD]

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

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 Fijian power outlet, provided that you use the correct plug adapter for Fiji. Please be aware that bringing your expensive domestic hair straighteners could put them at risk because of potential damage or loss in transit by an airline baggage handler in Fiji. The inconvenience and costs involved in replacing or repairing expensive quality hair straighteners in Fiji might overshadow the costs of purchasing cheap dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] . If you intend to bring along your own personal hair straighteners in your suitcase it is recommended to either slide them inside a sneaker or boot to protect from light knocks, alternatively use a shockproof and heat resistant hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which also allows the hair straighteners to be transported immediately after use without waiting to cool down.   [9] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Fiji

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

Voltage converter

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

A lightweight, cheap and small power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to slot into a power outlet found in Fiji, whereas a more expensive and heavier power converter converts the voltage of 240 volts from a Fijian power outlet to work with non-240 volt hair straighteners. [5] [AD]

Do you need a converter for Fiji to use hair straighteners?

A suitable voltage transformer (or power converter) allows hair straighteners using a different voltage to operate with the 240 volt power outlet used in Fiji. A power converter is more suited for travellers who wish to use their existing domestic hair straighteners, however it might be considerably less expensive to purchase dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] than it is to purchase a power converter. In addition, travel hair straighteners can be significantly smaller and lighter than a power converter making travel hair straighteners more suited for travelling. [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?

A heat resistant glove

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.    [9] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [AD]
How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

Energy saving outlet with timer

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.
  [14] [16] [AD]

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 Fiji using a type I power adapter

Instructions on how to use hair straighteners in Fiji with a 3 pronged Type I power adapter.

  1. Check 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 could 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 accept 240 volts, please refer to the manufacturers instructions for more information on how to do this.
  2. You will need to use a Type I plug adapter [4] if the shape of plug on your hair straighteners isn't the same type of plug outlet which is used in Fiji. The Type I plug adapter helps fit different plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet in Fiji simply by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your hair straighteners to work with a 240 volt supply.
  3. Insert the Type I plug adapter into the power outlet. The wall outlet (technically called the Type I power outlet [3]) can be recognised by 3 slots for the live, neutral and earth.
  4. After that plug in your hair straighteners into the Type I plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Fijian power outlet. You can now turn on your straighteners for use in Fiji. [AD]
How to use hair straighteners in Fiji using a type I power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Fijian country wikipedia page
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel hair straighteners
  3. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  4. Type I plug adapter - A Type I electrical adapter, compliant with AS/NZS 3112, fits in a standard Australia electrical outlet. This adapter features two flat pins in an inverted V-shape with an earthing pin and is also commonly used in New Zealand, China, and Argentina..
  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 -
  7. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  8. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for hair straighteners -
  9. Hard case for hot tools - Hard case designed for storing and protecting a flat irons, curling irons and hair straighteners.
  10. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.
  11. 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.
  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..