October 11, 2003
By: Mark Harris
Website: http://www.discount-light-bulbs.com
CPSC, Cooper Lighting warn about 500-watt halogen bulbs and how light bulbs work
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC), Cooper Lighting Inc., of Peachtree City, Ga., is warning consumers that nearly 600,000Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs may pose a fire hazard if used in torchiere floor lamps or otherindoor residential fixtures. These 500-watt light bulbs generate very high temperatures comparedto incandescent and lower wattage halogen bulbs and can start a fire if they come in contact withcurtains, clothes or other flammable material. These bulbs are intended for use in outdoor worklights and flood lamps.While Cooper has not received any reports of fires or injuries, the CPSC is aware of atleast 290 fires and 25 deaths since 1992 involving halogen torchiere floor lamps.Current packaging for the Regent 500-Watt Halogen Bulb, with model numbers WM500Qand BP500Q, does not contain the recommended warning label of the American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI). The label should read, Warning: Fire Hazard! Do Not Use InTorchieres Or Other Indoor Residential Fixtures. Cooper has asked retailers to add the label tobulb packaging currently on store shelves and new 500-watt halogen bulbs will contain the label. Wal-Mart, Lowes and smaller retail outlets nationwide sold these 500-watt halogen bulbsbetween January 1999 and October 2002 for about $4.Consumers currently using these 500-watt bulbs in a torchiere or indoor residential fixtureshould remove them immediately. Consumers can continue to use the 500-watt halogen bulbs inwork lights, flood lamps, and similar outdoor fixtures.
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Author Notes:
Mark Harris contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.discount-light-bulbs.com.
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