Washington D.C. -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC)staff today issued a warning to consumers that the tubular
light bulbs in most torchiere-style halogen lamps can reach very
high temperatures and could start a fire if they come in contact
with curtains, clothes or other flammable material.
"Many people don't realize that these tubular halogen bulbs
operate at temperatures much hotter than the incandescent bulbs
we are all used to," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "We want
people to know about the difference between regular bulbs and
tubular halogen bulbs so they can handle lamps with these hotter
bulbs safely and prevent injuries or fires."
The CPSC has received reports of at least 30 fires
associated with torchiere (or pole) lamps containing tubular
halogen bulbs. Two deaths were associated with these fires.
Approximately 35 million to 40 million torchiere lamps with
tubular halogen bulbs are owned by consumers in the United
States. The torchiere or pole lamps are free-standing lamps with
the light fixture mounted on top of a pole about six feet tall.
These lamps first became available in 1983 and sales have grown
significantly in the 1990s.
Tests conducted by the CPSC showed that tubular halogen
bulbs of 250 watts, 300 watts and 500 watts installed in
torchiere lamps could start a fire in nearby combustible
materials. These bulbs can reach temperatures ranging from about
970 degrees Fahrenheit for a 300 watt tubular halogen bulb to
1,200 degrees Fahrenheit for a 500 watt tubular halogen bulb. In
contrast, a 150 watt incandescent bulb operates at a temperature
of about 340 degrees Fahrenheit and a 75 watt bulb operates at
about 260 degrees Fahrenheit. Other types of halogen bulbs
operate at lower temperatures than the tubular halogen bulbs.
"It is important for consumers to know that lamps with
tubular halogen bulbs are much different than lamps with
incandescent bulbs, and therefore have to be treated with greater
care," Brown said.
Brown offered the following tips for safer use of torchiere
lamps with tubular halogen bulbs:
o Never allow torchiere halogen lamps to be placed where the
tubular bulb could come in contact with curtains or other
cloth window treatments;
o Never leave a torchiere halogen lamp on when you leave the
room or are not at home;
o Never drape clothes over a torchiere halogen lamp;
o For torchiere halogen lamps equipped with a dimmer switch,
operate the lamp at a setting lower than the maximum
whenever possible;
o Keep halogen torchiere lamps away from elevated beds like
bunk beds where bedding may get too close to the tubular
bulb.