Skip to main content

Got this from a friend:


Below is a picture of a CFL light bulb from my bathroom. I turned it on the other day and then smelled smo ke after a few minutes. Four inch flames were spewing out of the side of the ballast li ke a blow torch! I immediately turned off the lights. But I'm sure it would have caused a fire if I was not right there. Imagine if the kids had left the lights on as usual when they were not in the room.
I took the bulb to the Fire Department today to report the incident. The Fireman wasn't at all surprised a d said that it was not an uncommon occurrence. Apparently, sometimes when the bulb burns out there is a chance that the ballast can start a fire. He told me that the Fire Marshall had issued reports about the dangers of these bulbs.
Upon doing some Internet research, it seems that bulbs made by “Globe” in China seem to have the lion’s share of problems. Lots of fires have been blamed on misuse of CFL bulbs, li ke using them in recessed lighting, pot lights, dimmers or in track lighting. Mine was not in any of those. It was a normal light soc ket.
I bought these at Wal-Mart. I will be removing all the Globe bulbs from my house. I have not decided yet if we are going back to incandescent bulbs at this point.
Just thought you should know.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • cfl
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by garth66:
Snopes says FALSE regarding the CFL fire warning forwarded above.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cflbulb.asp

I would be interested in more info concerning your actual experience with a CFL smoking.


One in my moms house went up in smoke just as described and the bulb looked exactly like the one in the picture. I believe that some electric component, maybe a ballast encased in the neck of the bulb is the culprit.

SNOPES is not always accurate. Like Wikipedia it depends on outside posting
quote:
Originally posted by lambolp400s:
They built 13 stories on grade, with no basement, and tied it all down to hollow pilings with no rebar.

Brought to you by the same folks that make your kids' toys and want to build your car...............

So, you want to move in to one of the two other blocks?

Maybe they built it on the ground and will stand it up like framers do with walls. It could be their latest cost cutting technique!

Michael
Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×