By: Staff Writer
When it comes to air travel, following Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules is essential—not just to breeze through security checkpoints, but also to keep fellow passengers and flight crews safe. Recently, TSA eliminated its long-standing shoes-off rule at airport checkpoints, but the familiar 3.4-ounce liquid rule remains firmly in place.
Now, the agency has announced a new restriction that could affect millions of travelers: certain cordless hair styling tools are no longer permitted in checked baggage.
What Items Are Banned in Checked Bags?
According to updated guidance from the TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the following devices are banned from checked luggage due to fire and explosion risks:
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- Cordless curling irons or flat irons containing gas cartridges
- Butane-fueled curling irons or flat irons
- Gas refills (spare cartridges) for curling irons or flat irons
These devices, which many travelers use in their daily hair routines, contain fuel sources like butane and flammable gas cartridges. In the pressurized, oxygen-rich environment of an aircraft cargo hold, even a minor leak could cause a dangerous fire.
If TSA agents find any of these items in checked luggage, they may confiscate the bag, delay your travel, or remove the items entirely.
What Items Are Still Allowed?
The ban does not apply to every hair tool. Here’s what travelers need to know:
• Cordless gas-powered tools are still allowed in carry-on bags, but only if:
– They have safety covers to prevent accidental activation, and
– Spare gas cartridges are not included.
• Corded hair styling tools (such as curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers) are safe to pack in both carry-on and checked luggage.
This means if you travel frequently, it may be safer to switch to corded hair tools or battery-powered devices that do not rely on gas or fuel cartridges.
Why the Ban?
The TSA’s decision is rooted in aviation safety. Flammable gases like butane pose a risk of fire or explosion, particularly in the unmonitored environment of an airplane’s cargo hold. A single spark from a faulty device could endanger hundreds of passengers.
By moving these items to the carry-on category (with safety restrictions), TSA ensures that:
• Any potential issues can be monitored by flight attendants.
• Fires or malfunctions can be contained in the cabin, rather than spreading undetected in cargo.
How to Avoid Losing Your Items
Travelers should take a few precautions before heading to the airport:
1. Check the TSA Prohibited Items List: Visit TSA.gov to confirm what’s allowed.
2. Pack Hair Tools Correctly: If bringing a cordless hair tool in your carry-on, always include the protective safety cover.
3. Leave Spare Cartridges at Home: Even in carry-on bags, extra gas cartridges are not allowed.
4. Opt for Corded Tools: For frequent travelers, corded styling tools are the safest and simplest choice.
FAQs
Q: Can I bring a cordless curling iron in my carry-on?
A: Yes, as long as it has a safety cover and contains no spare cartridges.
Q: Are hair straighteners with cords banned?
A: No. Corded tools are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage.
Q: Why can’t gas-powered tools be in checked bags?
A: Because they use flammable gases like butane, which can ignite or explode in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
Q: What happens if TSA finds a banned item in my checked bag?
A: Your bag may be delayed, opened for inspection, and the item confiscated. In some cases, your luggage may not make your flight.
Bottom Line
The new TSA restrictions may feel inconvenient for travelers who rely on cordless hair tools, but the ban is designed to protect passenger safety. To avoid headaches at the airport, always double-check what you pack, keep safety covers on your devices, and when in doubt, switch to corded styling tools.
Safe travels start with smart packing.
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