How to use your hair straighteners in Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands power outlet

Will my hair straighteners work in Falkland Islands?

Check your hair straighteners can work in Falkland Islands:

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 Falkland Islands power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A power converter will change the voltage but not the actual shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the power outlet used in Falkland Islands, therefore check that the voltage transformer comes with the right power adapter for Falkland Islands otherwise you will also need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Please note that your personal hair straighteners might not be suited for travel and you risk damage in a suitcase. [5] [AD]
Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle the 240 volts used in Falkland Islands you run the potential risk of a blown fuse, damage to your hair straighteners or even an electrical fire hazard. Prior to using your hair straighteners in Falkland Islands read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Falkland Islands

Will my hair straighteners work in Falkland Islands?

This will depend on if your hair straighteners can operate using the 240 volt power outlets in Falkland Islands. If you're using either dual voltage hair straighteners or your hair straighteners is designed to handle 240 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you'll be able to use it in Falkland Islands. If not then you will need to consider bringing either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter, read the guide on do you need a voltage converter to use a hair straighteners for help deciding which option is more suitable. [5] [AD]

Can I use my American hair straighteners in Falkland Islands?

The guides on this page assume that you are a reader from America visiting Falkland Islands and provide advice on using your American hair straighteners with a Falkland Islands power outlet.

Falkland Islands power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used in Falkland Islands?

The frequency of the current used in a Falkland Islands power outlet is 50Hz. [6]

What is the mains voltage in Falkland Islands?

The standard residential voltage used in Falkland Islands is 240 volts.

Which plug adapter do you need to use hair straighteners in Falkland Islands?

The type of power outlet used in Falkland Islands is type G. The plug socket (also called a type G power outlet) looks like three vertical rectangular holes in a triangle configuration for live, neutral and ground. A recommended travel adapter to bring when using 240 volt hair straighteners in Falkland Islands is a Type G plug adapter - read the step by step guide below for full details of how to use hair straighteners in Falkland Islands using a plug adapter. Be aware that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to see if you need to bring a voltage converter.  [4] [7] [AD]

Which plug adapter do you need to use  hair straighteners in Falkland Islands?

Dual voltage hair straighteners

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

Dual voltage hair straighteners

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

One way to tell if your hair straighteners supports dual voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug or handle. The location will depend on the make and model of your hair straighteners, it should also be written in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage models might change automatically, however other models will have a switch which allows you to toggle between different voltages 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 Falkland Islands then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a Falkland Islands 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 Falkland Islands power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you should be able to use it in Falkland Islands.
  • A larger range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in Falkland Islands or any other country.
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Travelling to Falkland Islands with hair straighteners

Can hair straighteners go in your carry on to Falkland Islands?

Travel hair straighteners with heat protective cap

Can hair straighteners go in your carry on to Falkland Islands?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there is no restriction on bringing mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA also recommends that you should verify that the airline that is taking you to Falkland Islands 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 checks, they can be packed away quickly and should avoid a tangle of power wires in your carry on luggage (the TSA recommends wrapping wires tightly around electronic items). If you do intend to bring fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to bring hard carry on luggage as this offers the most protection against bumps and knocks during transit.    [2] [8] [9] [10] [AD]

Should I bring travel hair straighteners or domestic hair straighteners to Falkland Islands?

Packing dual voltage travel hair straighteners are preferable to packing your existing hair straighteners as it ensures that they will work with the 240 volt power outlets used with a Falkland Islands power outlet, as long as you use the correct power adapter for Falkland Islands. Please be aware that packing your expensive domestic hair straighteners might put them at risk due to potential damage or loss in your check in luggage by an airport baggage handler. The inconvenience and costs of replacing expensive quality domestic hair straighteners in Falkland Islands might outweigh the costs of purchasing cheap dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] before setting off. If you intend to bring your own personal hair straighteners in your luggage it is recommended to either slot them inside a sneaker or boot 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 will also allow the hair straighteners to be transported right after use without risk of burning.   [9] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Falkland Islands

Do you need a power converter for Falkland Islands to use your hair straighteners?

The correct model of voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow hair straighteners using a different voltage to work with the 240 volt power outlet used in Falkland Islands. Travellers who want to use their own domestic hair straighteners can use a power converter, but it can be considerably cheaper to purchase dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] than it is to buy a power converter. Also worth noting, travel hair straighteners can be considerably lighter and smaller than a power converter making travel hair straighteners more suited for packing in luggage. [5] [AD]

What is the difference between a power adapter and a power converter for Falkland Islands?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a power adapter and a power converter for Falkland Islands?

An expensive and heavy power converter will convert a 240 volt Falkland Islands power outlet to work with non-240 volt hair straighteners, whereas a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to slot into a power outlet in Falkland Islands. [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?

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.
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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 Falkland Islands using a type G power adapter

How to use your hair straighteners in Falkland Islands using a 3 pinned Type G travel adapter.

  1. Please make sure that the hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or can work with a 240 volt power outlet but if not then don't attempt these instructions as you could create an electrical fire hazard, blow a fuse or damage your straighteners. Before using a travel straighteners which can toggle between different voltages ensure you have set it to accept 240 volts - please consult the user guide for more details on where this switch is located.
  2. If the plug on your hair straighteners isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Falkland Islands you'll need to use a Type G plug adapter [4]. The Type G plug adapter is designed to fit plugs on appliances from other countries for use with an electrical outlet in Falkland Islands by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your hair straighteners to work with a 240 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type G plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 3 rectangular holes with plastic shutters forming a triangular shape.
  4. Plug in your hair straighteners into the Type G plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Falkland Islands power outlet.
  6. You can now switch on your straighteners to use in Falkland Islands. [AD]
How to use  hair straighteners in Falkland Islands using a type G power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Falkland Islands country entry on wikipedia.org
  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 -
  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..