Light Bulbs Can Pose Overlooked Fire Hazards

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

Be safe! Choose the correct wattage when replacing light bulbs in a fixture and never use bare incandescent bulbs in a closet.

Do you have exposed (unshielded or “bare”) incandescent bulbs lighting your closets? If so, you must switch them out immediately.

While under normal circumstances a 60-watt light bulb will get no hotter than 175 degrees Fahrenheit, under some conditions it could reach up to 500 degrees, hot enough to ignite nearby objects. It’s easy enough to imagine forgetting to turn off the light in your pantry or closet, allowing that light to heat up over many hours in close proximity to flammable items.

Previously, unshielded incandescent bulbs were permitted in closets as long as the bulb was at least 18″ away from the closet shelf. But today, exposed incandescent lights are no longer allowed in closets—period. The 2014 National Electric Code (NEC) prohibits all unshielded incandescent bulbs from use in closets.

Replace uncovered incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs, which operate at much cooler temperatures. It’s one of the quickest, easiest and least expensive fixes you can make—and it sure can make a difference in keeping you, your family and your home safe from fire.

Use the Correct Wattage

Using a bulb that has wattage too high for a fixture can cause a fire. Lamps come with a sticker or tag detailing what wattage bulb can be used. But often, after a lamp is purchased, the sticker is removed for appearance’s sake, and the wrong wattage bulb is used.

• Keep the sticker or tag to your lamp in a safe place, or do not remove it from the lamp.
• When replacing the bulb, reference your sticker or tag, or get the same wattage bulb that was in the lamp originally.

If your home or business suffers damage from a fire, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141

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The team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in fire restoration and cleanup, as well as natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage and mold remediation, and chemical and biohazard cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860.206.6141) any time.

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If your home or business suffers damage from a fire, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141