Using your hair straighteners in Burundi

Burundian power outlet

Will my hair straighteners work in Burundi?

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

  • If your hair straighteners can run on 220 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can tell) then you'll only need to use an appropriate power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your hair straighteners will not fit.

If not then:

  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - you can then use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with a 220 volt Burundian 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 types of power outlet used in Burundi, so check that your voltage transformer has a power adapter for Burundi otherwise you will also need to bring a seperate power adapter. Please be aware your existing hair straighteners might not be suitable for travel and you could risk damage in your luggage. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 220 volts you run the potential risk of an electrical fire hazard, blowing a fuse or damage to your hair straighteners. Before using your hair straighteners in Burundi read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Burundi

Will my hair straighteners work in Burundi?

This depends on if your hair straighteners can handle the 220 volt power outlets used in Burundi:

Burundi power outlets and plug sockets

What mains voltage is used in Burundi?

Power outlets in Burundi are 220 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in Burundi?

The frequency in a Burundian power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

Which power adapter will you need for using  hair straighteners in Burundi?

Type C and E power outlets

Which power adapter will you need for using hair straighteners in Burundi?

There are two different types of power outlets used in Burundi, types E and C with the primary power outlets being type E:

  • Plug Type C - This ungrounded plug outlet (known as the Europlug) is identified by the 2 circular holes next to each other where the twin plug socket pins slide into.
  • Plug Type E - This recessed round plug outlet can be recognised by two circular holes 19mm apart from each other for live and neutral pins plus one long metal grounding pin protruding the top to form a triangle pattern.

A Type E power adapter will allow you to use 220 volt hair straighteners in Burundi - read the step-by-step guide below for full details of using hair straighteners in Burundi using a travel adapter. Please note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to see if you have to bring a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

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 handle dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle or the plug. This location will depend on the make or model of your hair straighteners, it could also be written on the box. Some dual voltage models will change automatically, however other straighteners will have a button or switch which allows you to change between different voltage ranges depending on which country you are in.

  • A specific number such as 110V indicates single voltage hair straighteners. If this number matches the 220 volts used in Burundi then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a Burundian 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 220 volts used in a Burundian power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you can use it in Burundi.
  • A larger voltage range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in Burundi or any other country.
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Travelling to Burundi with hair straighteners

Can hair straighteners go in my carry on?

Travel hair straighteners with heat protective cap

Can hair straighteners go in my carry on?

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 United States. The TSA recommends that you should check that the airline which is flying you to Burundi will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

Packing your hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible when going through airport security checks, they can be packed away quickly avoiding a tangle of power cords in your carry on luggage (the TSA recommends wrapping cords tightly around electronic items). If you 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 offers the greatest protection against knocks and drops during your journey.    [2] [10] [11] [12] [AD]

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

Bringing dual voltage travel hair straighteners are preferable to packing your existing hair straighteners as it is safer to assume that they will operate correctly with the 220 volt power outlets used with a Burundian power outlet, as long as you bring the correct power adapter for Burundi.

It is also worth bearing in mind that bringing your expensive domestic hair straighteners could put them at risk because of potential damage or loss in transit by airport baggage handlers. The cost and inconvenience of repairing expensive specialised domestic hair straighteners in Burundi could be higher than buying cheaper dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] before your trip. If you intend to pack your own hair straighteners in your luggage either slot them inside a boot or sneaker to protect from light damage, or use a heat resistant and shockproof hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which will also allow the hair straighteners to be packed whilst hot without waiting to cool down.   [11] [13] [AD]

Power converters for Burundi

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 Burundi, however an expensive and bulkier power converter will convert a 220 volt Burundian power outlet to work with non-220 volt hair straighteners. [7] [AD]

Do you need a power converter to use hair straighteners in Burundi?

The correct type power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your hair straighteners using a different voltage to work with the 220 volt power outlet used in Burundi. Travellers wishing to bring their own hair straighteners can use a power converter, but it could 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 substantially heavier than travel hair straighteners making a power converter less suitable for packing in luggage. [7] [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.    [11] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [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 Burundi using a type C power adapter

Instructions showing how to use hair straighteners in Burundi using a Type C travel charger.

  1. Check that the hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or is compatible with a 220 volt power outlet - if not then do not attempt these instructions as you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your hair straighteners or blow a fuse. Before using a travel hair straighteners make sure the switch is set to accept 220 volts; please refer to the manufacturers instructions for more information on how to do this.
  2. You will need to buy a Type C plug adapter [4] if the shape of the power outlet which is used in Burundi won't accomodate the plug shape of your hair straighteners. The Type C plug adapter will adapt plugs from other countries for an electrical outlet used in Burundi by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the voltage of the hair straighteners to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. Insert the Type C plug adapter into the power outlet. This ungrounded plug supply (sometimes called the Europlug or Type C power outlet [3]) is identified by the 2 circular holes next to each other where the twin plug outlet pins slide into.
  4. After that plug in your hair straighteners into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Burundian power outlet.
  6. You can now switch on the straighteners for use in Burundi. [AD]
How to use  hair straighteners in Burundi using a type C power adapter

How to use hair straighteners in Burundi using a type E power adapter

Instructions showing how to use hair straighteners in Burundi using a Type E travel charger.

  1. Make sure that your straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or can work with a 220 volt power supply but if it doesn't then don't continue because you could blow a fuse, damage your straighteners or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a dual voltage travel straighteners make sure you have set it to the 220 volt setting to use in Burundi - consult the owners manual to find out where this switch is.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type E plug adapter [6] if the shape of the power outlet used in Burundi isn't the same shape as the plug on your hair straighteners. The power adapter will help fit different plugs on appliances from other countries for use in a power outlet in Burundi 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 220 volt supply.
  3. Plug the Type E plug adapter into the Burundian power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two large round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins and a single metal earth pin protruding the top to form a triangle pattern.
  4. After that plug in your hair straighteners into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Burundian power outlet.
  6. You can now switch on the straighteners to use in Burundi. [AD]
How to use  hair straighteners in Burundi using a type E power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Burundi Wikipedia page
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel hair straighteners
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C plug adapter - An unearthed Europlug Type C travel adapter with two 4mm rounded pins placed 19mm apart, designed to fit a variety of sockets commonly used across Europe, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Iceland..
  5. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  6. Type E plug adapter - A CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug compliant Type E adapter designed with a focus on safety, featuring two round pins and an earthing hole. Ideal for use in the France, Belgium, Poland and several African nations..
  7. 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..
  8. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  9. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  10. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for hair straighteners -
  11. Hard case for hot tools - Hard case designed for storing and protecting a flat irons, curling irons and hair straighteners.
  12. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Heat protectant spray - Thermal protector spray used prior to styling with heated tools such as blow dryers and flat irons.
  16. Energy saving outlet with timer - Automatic power shut down of a connected appliance after a preset length of time.
  17. Flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag - Example of hair straighteners with a protective bag suitable for travel.
  18. 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..