Hidden Dangers?

Imagine a popular household item that can be a deadly hazard if not used properly. There are an estimated 30-40 million of torchiere-style halogen floor lamps in use today. Inside its open top sits a very bright tubular halogen bulb with a thin glass guard over it in case the bulb shatters. The inverted shade of the lamp acts as a catcher's mitt. But flammable items can get trapped in the bowl-like top, right next to the bulb or the guard, which can get hot enough to ignite things. It's important to know some safety tips to guard against the possibility of fire.

These lamps should carry a warning which says to keep it away from combustibles. These warning labels vary, and sometimes they're the size of a bandaid, placed inside the dome of the lamp or wrapped around the electrical cord. But rarely is the label placed on the outside surface of the lamp, large enough so a consumer can't miss it and has to remove it before assembling the lamp. Currently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating 31 fires directly linked to halogen floor lamps. While it has the authority to investigate, the government agency doesn’t set the safety standard for halogen floor lamps. Instead, Underwriters Laboratories, an industry funded group, sets the voluntary safety standard for the lamps.

After a series of reported fires, UL decided to review their evaluations of halogen floor lamps. First, they issued a warning to manufacturers to stop selling the floor lamps with 500-watt halogen bulbs. Then in February, 1997, it will require halogen floor lamps to carry a second warning label attached to the power cord or other location visible during set up, but not necessarily on the box. In addition, these lamps will be subjected to a much tougher safety test in order to carry the coveted UL label.