Hair Straightener
Products and appliances

Hair straighteners and tongs

Hair straighteners and tongs

Whether it’s straightening, curling, or putting waves into your hair, there is an electrical product to achieve almost any style. But as they create a lot of heat, they can be a fire risk. 

Hair tongs and straighteners are not the same as a curling tong has a barrel shape for creating curls, while a straightener (or flat iron) has two flat plates for making hair straight.   

Both can be used for a range of styling purposes as tongs can achieve ringlets or looser curls, and a straightener can also be used for curling or wavy hair. 

Most operate with a cable using mains electricity. Cordless models are also available powered by either a charger and battery, or gas. 

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Key points

  • Mains operated hair tongs and straighteners must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse. 
  • Keep hair tongs and straighteners unplugged when not in use. 
  • Don’t wrap the cable around the tongs when storing. 
  • Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn and scorch marks. 
  • Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them. 

Buying a hair tong or straightener

  • Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the product may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. For mains operated tongs or straighteners, make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse. 
  • You will find lots of online reviews of hair tongs and straighteners but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers. 
  • Safety features can include automatic shut-off, cool-touch handles, and heat-indicator lights to prevent burns and fires. Some models come with heat-proof pouches for storage, a lock function to keep plates closed when not in use, and an insulated, heat-resistant mat for placing the tool on while in use. 
  • Register your product so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered. 

Using a hair tong or straightener safely

  • Once you’ve finished using the hair tong or straightener, unplug it and let it cool on a heat-resistant surface. Don’t store in any heat proof pouches provided until it has cooled down.  
  • Keep it unplugged when not in use and store it out of the reach of children. Don’t wrap the cable around the tongs when storing. 
  • A hair tong or straightener must never be used while you’re in the bath, close to a shower, or near a sink full of water. If it falls into water, unplug it first before removing it. 
  • Never use on wet hair or with wet hands. Ensure the plug and cable don’t get wet and keep them away from heated surfaces. 
  • Check the cable regularly for any signs of damage. If you spot any damage, replace it.  
  • If you notice an odd smell or any sparking, or any cracks or damage, unplug the hair straightener or tongs immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer. 

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first before buying.  
  • Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer. 
  • Register your hair tong or straightener with the manufacturer.  
  • After use, let your hair tong or straightener cool down on a heat-resistant surface. 
  • Check the cable regularly for any signs of damage.

AVOID

  • Buying from third-party sellers online. 
  • Using a hair tong or straightener while in the bath or near any water. 
  • Putting a hair tong or straightener on any soft surfaces while using it. 
  • Using a hair tong or straightener if you notice any damage or sparks. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

A woman cleaning her electric toothbrush

Additional info

Hair tongs and straighteners can reach temperatures of 220°C and take up to 40 minutes to cool down after being switched off, so models with automatic shut-off are safer. They cause severe burns if they touch skin and remember that children’s skin can be 15 times thinner than adults. 

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