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CPSC, Cooper Lighting Warn About 500-Watt Halogen Bulbs

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Recall Date:
January 30, 2003

Recall Details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2003
Release # 03-077
Cooper Lighting Hotline: (800) 954-7145
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cooper Lighting Inc., of Peachtree City, Ga., is warning consumers that nearly 600,000 Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs may pose a fire hazard if used in torchiere floor lamps or other indoor residential fixtures. 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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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.

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.

Picture of Recalled Halogen Bulb

Picture of Recalled Halogen Bulb

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

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