OT Bad light bulbs. MUST READ!!

[beantownmaniac]

Sorry I couldn't attach the pic.

Below is a picture of a CFL light bulb from my bathroom. I turned it on the other day and then smelled smoke after a few minutes. Four inch flames were spewing out of the side of the ballast like 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 to report the incident. The Fireman wasn't at all surprised and 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, like using them in recessed lighting, pot lights, dimmers or in track lighting. Mine was installed in a normal light socket.

I bought these at Wal-Mart. I will be removing all the Globe bulbs from my house. CFL bulbs are a great energy saver but make sure you buy a name brand like Sylvania , Phillips or GE and not the ones from China .

 

[Comeds]

Wow, thats pretty scary stuff. I am glad you were there.

 

[mooger_35]

I think Mattola had this happen in his house as well. Scary stuff, and hard to believe these things would make it to market.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Sorry I couldn't attach the pic.

Below is a picture of a CFL light bulb from my bathroom. I turned it on the other day and then smelled smoke after a few minutes. Four inch flames were spewing out of the side of the ballast like 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 to report the incident. The Fireman wasn't at all surprised and 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, like using them in recessed lighting, pot lights, dimmers or in track lighting. Mine was installed in a normal light socket.

I bought these at Wal-Mart. I will be removing all the Globe bulbs from my house. CFL bulbs are a great energy saver but make sure you buy a name brand like Sylvania , Phillips or GE and not the ones from China .

Edit-This was an e-mail from my brother.

 

[TOX1]

The fireman basically blowing you off is kind of unsettling.

I mean, it's not all their responsibility to get the word out on these faulty bulbs, but you'd think they would get with the local newspapers and get something out to the general public.


Very glad you were there to prevent what could have been a really fucked up deal BTM.

 

[puckhead]

technically, you need a hazmat team to dispose of these bulbs. no thanks.

 

[Automattic]

Man, I wish Iowa had electricity.








Good call Wayne. I'm gonna check out the house bulbs.

 

[huskers1217]

ummmmm....maybe not so bad?

 

[Comeds]

technically, you need a hazmat team to dispose of these bulbs. no thanks.

Not really. How hard is it to toss them in an estuary or wetland?

 

[mattola]

I think Mattola had this happen in his house as well. Scary stuff, and hard to believe these things would make it to market.

In September 2009 I had this happen

nothing serious but my house caught fire this weekend. what it turned out to be was the energy efficient light bulb. I did some research online and found that the energy efficient light bulbs are known to catch fire when they burn out. here is an article detailing it from 2007. I replaced everyone of them in my house with the regular bulbs but thought you should be aware of this.

http://www.milton.ca/execserv/press_releases07/Final_NR_Bulb_Warning_Apr07.pdf



this is exactly what happened to my house.

I basically turned the light on in my closet and walked away. I heard a pop and I could smell smoke realyl really strong. the smoke detector didnt go off yet as I had gotten to it quick and checked it and aired out my bedroom with a fan. the bulb did as you described it set out a flame to the side once it burnt out but quickly extinguished (I was lucky)

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I got an e-mail about this too BTM. So I snooped around and found this has not been an uncommon problem. This saving the fucking planet green shit is going to kill us all! The funny part is when we are all gone the planet will laugh it's ball's off. Assuming it has any.

 

[beantownmaniac]

I got an e-mail about this too BTM. So I snooped around and found this has not been an uncommon problem. This saving the fucking planet green shit is going to kill us all! The funny part is when we are all gone the planet will laugh it's ball's off. Assuming it has any.

And like Puck said, they're considered hazardous waste when they're dead.

 

[pixburgher66]

Wait...I'm confused. Why is the Snopes email the EXACT same as BTM's brother's email? So, this is just an alert, not an actual story?

 

[Comeds]

And like Puck said, they're considered hazardous waste when they're dead.

They have mercury in them so you are not supposed to toss them in the garbage. They do only have less than 1% of the mercury that was in the thermometers we had when I was growing up.

Ikea and Home Depot collect spent CFL bulbs in my area.

They are not perfect at all but I like them. They are super expensive. We had our basement finished a few years ago and the electrician put recessed lighting with dimmers in, which are nice. However you need special CFL bulbs for use with dimmers. And I had 14 lights. I think it cost me almost $200 to buy them. Also they make noise, not enough to bother me if I am watching TV or listening to music but if I am down there reading it can bother me until I get used to it.

The good parts. They use a lot less energy and I like the quality of light given off. (when they first came out it was not nearly as good) I also really like not having to change the bulbs all that often, especially when they are in hard to reach areas. The CFL lights don't heat up like the others did and in my basement with so many lights it seemed to make a difference.

 

[Comeds]

double post somehow

 

[Destroydacre]

Wait...I'm confused. Why is the Snopes email the EXACT same as BTM's brother's email? So, this is just an alert, not an actual story?

My guess would be that BTM's brother got that email from someone else and forwarded it rather than typing it up himself.

 

[pixburgher66]

My guess would be that BTM's brother got that email from someone else and forwarded it rather than typing it up himself.

OK, that makes some sense. Just wondering because that post was from April '10

 

[beantownmaniac]

My guess would be that BTM's brother got that email from someone else and forwarded it rather than typing it up himself.

You would be correct sir

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Please don't even think of getting me started on this save the planet energy stuff. I have studied so much BS from both sides and could hold my own in any debated.

Research the data people! See what BOTH sides have to say be analytical then come to you're honest and own conclusions.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

I have studied so much BS from both sides and could hold my own in any debated.

That's 'cause you da man.