Halogen Lamp Fire Prompts Warning

A 6-foot-tall halogen lamp, draped with a cloth for decoration, sparked a fire that caused $5,000 damage to an apartment Sunday.

Stacy Ryan, her 4-year-old son and their roommate, Mike Malquist, escaped without injury after being alerted by a fire alarm as they watched television, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

Fire investigators say the blaze highlights the dangers of misusing torchier-style halogen lamps.

A lamp of similar style caused a blaze in a 42-story building in New York this year that left 24 people injured. The lamp had tipped over and ignited a piece of furniture in the home of jazz musician Lionel Hampton, and flames spread throughout the building.

In Orange county, halogen lamps have caused at least 20 fire accidents within homes, according to investigators.

“These fires caused pretty significant damage,” said investigator Rick Robinson of the Fire Authority.

Because halogen bulbs generate twice the heat of incandescent bulbs, fire officials say, consumers should read warning labels on the lamps carefully and take extra precautions.

The most common cause of halogen-lamp blazes, Robinson said, is either putting flammable material such as a covering on or near the lamp or inadvertently placing it where it can cause a fire.

Frequent reports of halogen-lamp fires caused manufacturing companies to recall the products and alter the design. Some are now equipped with a device that shuts off electricity to the bulb if it detects too high a temperature.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Halogen Hints

Halogen light bulbs, which burn at far hotter temperatures than incandescent bulbs, can cause a fire if they come in contact with flammable items such as curtains, clothes and the like. When using halogen bulbs/lamps:

* Use only fixtures tested by recognized laboratories such as UL.

* Place torchier halogen lamps away from curtains, wall decorations, bunk beds and other combustible items.

* Do not leave a torchier lamp burning when you leave home.

* If a halogen lamp has a dimmer switch, operate it at a lower setting when possible.

* Do not drape clothes and towels on lamps.

* Replace 500-watt bulbs with a 300-watt version.

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission