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CPSC, Cooper Lighting Warn About 500-Watt Halogen Bulbs

U.S. CPSCFireSold on Lowe'sJan 30, 2003
Regent 500-watt halogen bulb without Warning Label
Regent 500-watt halogen bulb without Warning Label
Warning Label that will be added to bulb packaging and new bulbs
Warning Label that will be added to bulb packaging and new bulbs

Photos from the official notice: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · image rights

Hazard

These 500-watt light bulbs generate very high temperatures, compared to incandescent and lower wattage halogen bulbs and can start a fire, if they come in contact with curtains, clothes or other flammable material. These bulbs are intended for use in outdoor work lights and flood lamps. To meet the current Underwriters Laboratories standard, halogen torchiere floor lamps must be equipped with a protective glass or wire guard and have a halogen bulb that is 300 watts or less.

Remedy

Cooper has asked retailers to add the label to bulb packaging currently on store shelves and new 500-watt halogen bulbs will contain the label. Consumers currently using these 500-watt bulbs in a torchiere or indoor residential fixture should remove them immediately. Consumers can continue to use the 500-watt halogen bulbs in work lights, flood lamps, and similar outdoor fixtures.

Incidents & injuries

While Cooper has not received any reports of fires or injuries, the CPSC is aware of at least 290 fires and 25 deaths since 1992, involving halogen torchiere floor lamps.

Product description

Current packaging for the Regent 500-Watt Halogen Bulb, with model numbers WM500Q and BP500Q, does not contain the recommended warning label of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The label should read, "Warning: Fire Hazard! Do Not Use In Torchieres Or Other Indoor Residential Fixtures." Cooper has asked retailers to add the label to bulb packaging currently on store shelves and new 500-watt halogen bulbs will contain the label.

Sold on

Wal-Mart, Lowe's and smaller retail outlets nationwide sold these 500-watt halogen bulbs, between January 1999 and October 2002, for about $4.

Contact the company

For more information, consumers can contact Cooper Lighting at (800) 954-7145 anytime or log on to the company's website at www.cooperlighting.com

What should I do?

Stop using the product and follow the remedy below. Contact the company for a refund, repair or replacement — recall remedies are free.

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