Your flatiron just made the no-fly list.
The TSA has added a few surprise items to its banned list this summer—and if you’re a traveler who packs light but stylish, you might want to check your beauty kit twice.
As of this month, cordless hair tools that run on gas cartridges or butane are no longer allowed in checked luggage. That includes cordless curling irons, flatirons, and especially the tiny gas refills people toss in as backups.
Why? Fire risk. Butane and similar fuels can spark or explode under pressure, and checked bags are harder to access mid-flight if something goes wrong. According to the FAA, the updated rules are designed to reduce hazards from heat-generating or combustible materials.
Don’t panic if your favorite curler is cordless. TSA isn’t banning them entirely—they’re just being picky about where you stash them. You can bring them in your carry-on as long as they’re fitted with safety covers to prevent accidental activation. No loose cartridges, though. Those stay home.
Plug-in models are totally fine in both carry-ons and checked bags.
This update comes just months after TSA reminded flyers that portable chargers and power banks with lithium-ion batteries also need to stay out of checked bags. Like butane, lithium batteries have a nasty habit of overheating and sparking when damaged.
And in a rare move that actually relaxes airport security, travelers at Rochester airport (and potentially others soon) no longer need to remove their shoes during screening. Yes, after 20 years, the barefoot shuffle might finally be coming to an end.
Bottom line – If it heats up, charges up, or plugs in, double-check the rules before you pack. The last thing you want before your flight is to see your bag rolled away for inspection—because you tried to smuggle in a hair tool.