January 30, 2003
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.
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 http://www.cooperlighting.com/specfiles/pdf/Regentposter2.doc.pdf
.