Cordless hair tools face new TSA/FAA rules for carry-ons

The Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration have updated the rules on carrying cordless hair styling tools, banning them in checked luggage when they contain gas cartridges or butane fueling. The devices can still be brought in carry-on bags, but only if a safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element and the device is protected from accidental activation. There is also a per-person limit of one cordless hair tool in carry-ons, and additional restrictions apply to gas refills and spare cartridges.

Under the new guidance, cordless curling irons and flat irons powered by gas cartridges or butane are not allowed in checked bags. Gas cartridges and butane are not permitted in either checked or carry-on luggage for safety reasons, but the regulation permits these cordless devices in carry-ons when properly packed. For battery-powered tools, the batteries, fuses, or heating elements must be removed to prevent accidental activation, and any such devices must be stored in a manner that prevents inadvertent turning on during the flight.

The change follows other recent security updates intended to streamline travel while preserving safety....