Halogen Floor Lamps Safer Halogen floor lamps can brighten a room better than conventional lamps, but misuse of these lamps can cause fire or personal injury. According to reports from the Consumer Product Safety Commission there are between 35 and 40 million unmodified halogen lamps used in homes and businesses throughout the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of 189 fires and 11 fatalities connected to the lamps since 1991. Although manufacturers have taken steps to produce lower wattage bulbs and guards to keep items from touching the bulbs, there still remains a great potential for fire from previously purchased lamps that lack these modifications. The halogen lamp industry is cooperatively providing guards for halogen floor lamps to retrofit existing lamps.
Guards are easy to install and available free of charge, at many hardware stores.
As a service to Duke, the Fire Safety Division has obtained a large quantity of guards from Wal-Mart for distribution among employees and students. Disconnect power and allow the bulb to cool for at least 5 minutes before replacing the bulb. Do not touch hot lens, guard or enclosure. Keep lamps away from curtains and other combustible materials. Use only the recommended wattage for the bulb.