

Just forgetting to switch it off can start a fire. This is a concern because it means your curling iron doesn’t even need to malfunction to be a fire risk. Just the heat from the curling iron is enough to set some materials alight. This is the temperature at which a substance or material will start to burn without a spark or flame. This is a danger because all materials have something called an autoignition temperature. This means that even when they are properly switched off and unplugged, they remain a fire hazard for quite a while after use. They also take a long time to cool down once they are switched off, up to 40 minutes in some cases. In fact, according to Electrical Safety First, curling irons and hair straighteners can reach temperatures upwards of 220☌ (428℉). HeatĪs I am sure you are aware, if you have ever accidentally grazed your ear with your curling iron, they get very hot indeed. Secondly, they are powered by electricity, which can be hazardous for several reasons I will detail below. They can even get hot enough to ignite certain materials, but more on that in a moment. Why Are Curling Irons a Fire Risk?Ĭurling irons are a fire risk on two counts. This thermal energy is then transferred to the curling iron barrel, which causes it to warm up. The resistor works by slowing down the electrical current and releasing the excess energy as heat. An electrical current is passed through a resistor which generates heat. This is the process of converting electrical energy into heat energy. To understand how curling irons can cause fires, it helps to understand how they work.Ĭurling irons work by electric heating. Can a curling iron start a fire How Do Curling Irons Work?
