How do I use my hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea power outlet

Will my hair straighteners work in Papua New Guinea?

First check that your hair straighteners can work in Papua New Guinea:

If not then:

  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with a 240 volt Papua New Guinea power outlet, however this is considerably bulkier, heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A power converter will change the voltage but won't change the actual shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the wall outlet used in Papua New Guinea, therefore check that your voltage transformer comes with a suitable power adapter for Papua New Guinea otherwise you will need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Also worth noting that your own existing hair straighteners might not be suited for travelling and you risk damage in your luggage. [5] [AD]
Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 240 volts used in Papua New Guinea you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your hair straighteners. Prior to using your hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea please read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea

Will my hair straighteners work in Papua New Guinea?

It depends on if your hair straighteners can handle the 240 volts which are used in Papua New Guinea:

Can I use my US hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea?

The instructions on this page assume that you're an America reader visiting Papua New Guinea and will provide advice on using your US hair straighteners with a Papua New Guinea power outlet.

Papua New Guinea power outlets and plug sockets

What is the mains voltage in Papua New Guinea?

The normal voltage used in Papua New Guinea is 240 volts.

What frequency is used in Papua New Guinea?

The frequency found in a Papua New Guinea power outlet is 50Hz. [6]

Which plug adapter will you need to bring to use  hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea?

Type I power outlet

Which plug adapter will you need to bring to use hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea?

The type of power outlet used in Papua New Guinea is type I. This wall socket, also called a type I power outlet, can be recognised by 3 slots forming an upside-down triangle pattern with the top pair of slots sloping upward for the live, neutral and ground blades. A suitable plug adapter to bring when using 240 volt hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea is a Type I power adapter, read the step by step guide below for full details of using hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea. Note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to check if you need to use a voltage converter.  [4] [7] [AD]

Dual voltage hair straighteners

Are my hair straighteners dual voltage?

Single voltage hair straighteners

Are my hair straighteners dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your hair straighteners can accept dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug or the handle. This location might vary depending on the make and model of your hair straighteners, it could also be written on the box. Some dual voltage models can change automatically but other models will feature a button or switch which allows you to toggle between different regions depending on which country you are visiting.

  • A specific number such as 110V indicates single voltage hair straighteners. If this number matches the 240 volts used in Papua New Guinea then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you should be able to use it in Papua New Guinea.
  • A large range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in Papua New Guinea or any other country.
 [2] [AD]

Travelling to Papua New Guinea with hair straighteners

Is it safer to bring your travel hair straighteners or domestic hair straighteners to Papua New Guinea?

Packing dual voltage travel hair straighteners are preferable to bringing your existing hair straighteners as it ensures that they will operate correctly with the 240 volt power outlets used with a Papua New Guinea power outlet, as long as you use the correct plug adapter for Papua New Guinea. It is also worth bearing in mind that bringing your expensive domestic hair straighteners might place them at risk due to potential damage or loss in transit by airport baggage handlers. The inconvenience and costs involved in replacing or repairing expensive specialised domestic hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea could outweigh the costs of buying cheaper dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] beforehand to bring along with you. If you intend to bring your own personal hair straighteners in your suitcase either slot them inside a boot or sneaker to protect from light damage, 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 packed whilst hot without waiting to cool down.   [8] [9] [AD]

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 is no restriction on carrying mains powered hair straighteners in your hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also suggests that you should verify that the airline which is flying you to Papua New Guinea 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 by airport security, they can be packed away quickly avoiding a tangle of power cords in your carry on luggage (the TSA suggests wrapping wires tightly around electric items such as hair straighteners). If you do intend to bring fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to use hard carry on luggage as this provides the most protection against drops and knocks during transit.    [2] [8] [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Papua New Guinea

Do I need a voltage converter to use my hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea?

The correct type voltage transformer (or power converter) allows hair straighteners using a different voltage to work with the 240 volt power outlet used in Papua New Guinea. A power converter is more suitable for travellers wishing to bring their existing domestic hair straighteners, however it can be more expensive to buy a power converter than it is to purchase dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2]. Also worth noting, a power converter is noticeably bulkier and heavier than travel hair straighteners making a power converter less suited for packing. [5] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

An expensive and heavy power converter will convert a 240 volt Papua New Guinea power outlet to work with non-240 volt hair straighteners, whereas a smaller and more lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to slot into a power outlet found in Papua New Guinea. [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.    [8] [9] [12] [13] [14] [15] [AD]
How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

Hair straighteners connected to a timer power outlet

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 Papua New Guinea using a type I power adapter

How to power your hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea using a three pronged Type I travel charger.

  1. Make sure that the hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or is compatible with a 240 volt power supply but if not then do not attempt these instructions because you could damage your hair straighteners, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some hair straighteners might usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating your hair straighteners ensure you have set it to the 240 volt setting, consult the user guide for more information on where the switch is.
  2. You will need to use a Type I plug adapter [4] if the type of plug used on your hair straighteners isn't the same shape as the power outlet which is used in Papua New Guinea. The plug adapter is designed to fit plugs from other countries for use with a power outlet in Papua New Guinea by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your hair straighteners to work with a 240 volt supply.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type I plug adapter and inserting it in the Papua New Guinea power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the three thin slots in a triangle configuration with the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and earth.
  4. Plug in the hair straighteners into the Type I plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Papua New Guinea power outlet. The hair straighteners can now be used in Papua New Guinea. [AD]
How to use  hair straighteners in Papua New Guinea using a type I power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about Papua New Guinea
  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. 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 -
  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..