Compact Fluorescent bulbs are a fire hazard

ESA is concerned that it can be difficult for consumers to distinguish between what is normal and what may be a precursor to fire or some other hazardous condition. As a safety precaution, ESA encourages consumers to replace CFLs at the first sign of failure or aging. The early warning signs to look for include: flickering, a bright orange or red glow, popping sounds, an odour, or browning of the ballast enclosure (base). Wonder if the odour is very good for you?

WARNING - The new compact fluorescent bulbs are burning, and could pose a fire hazard. I wouldn't leave my home with the light on if I were you. Not after looking at the photos.

There is a website with photos of compact fluorescent light bulbs which have melted. Looks like they are burning where the glass meets the ballast. Have a look at these photos. Have a look at that one bulb...melted almost in half... now how can that not be a fire hazard. Do you believe yet, that we need to get rid of the word govern in government?? The govern may mean to burn peoples homes down.
http://www.execulink.com/~impact/pur-lite_pro-9000X.htm

This same scenario happened to okanaganlakebc.com friend who is the one to alert us and so we though we should try to alert everyone we can as well, including CHBC news. This friend said her compact fluorescent bulb was not the brand that was recalled because of fire hazard reasons. Her compact fluorescent bulb burnt at the base with smoke and stink! How is that not a hazard? This friend has gone back to regular incandescent bulbs.

In 2005, the authority issued a recall for Globe mini-spiral 13-watt lamps that were made between January 2002 and April 2003 after concluding that the parts could fail and melt a hole in the enclosure. Okanaganlakebc.com has a 23-watt Globe mini-spiral that is very dim and not because of the color bought. It failed within a very short time of starting to use it. Fried fingers trying to remove it from socket before it cooled off. Thought they didn't get hot?

Compact fluorescent bulbs do include small amounts of mercury, a toxic metal that can lead to adverse health effects for fish and humans. But with amounts of less than 4 mg of mercury per bulb – about one-fifth that found in the average watch battery and less than 100th found in your typical amalgam dental filling – and convenient access to CFL recycling facilities, the threat is not considered significant.

Some manufacturers, including Philips with its 'Alto' CFLs, offer even lower amounts of mercury in the bulbs.

Did you know that frequent on and off switching can shorten a CFL's life?

Can CFLs be used outside in cold temperatures?

Yes, there are CFLs that can be used outdoors in temperatures as low as -30 °C. However, check the low temperature rating on the package to make sure it suits your local climate. It is also preferable to have your CFL enclosed in an outdoor fixture to protect it from the cold, wind and humidity. If your CFL is used outdoors with a motion detector, the life of your CFL may be shortened.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/questions-answers.cfm?attr=4#outside

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How does a CFL do in areas where power surges occur, such as rural areas?

CFLs may not hold up to the stress of power surges. So using them in areas such as workshops may not be advisable.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/questions-answers.cfm?attr=4#rural

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Where CFL's should not be installed

Pay attention to the manufacturers' recommendations regarding installation location. Know that unless otherwise specified, CFLs should not be used: in totally enclosed recessed fixtures because of the possibility of the lamp overheating and failing prematurely; with dimmer switches; in touch lamps with photocells or with electronic timers; where exposed to weather; or where exposed to water. Read the text on the base of the lamp or contact the products' manufacturer for additional information if required.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/cfl-end-life.cfm?text=N&printview=N

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CFLs end-of-life, is it safe?

With the old incandescent light bulbs, we know it doesn't work anymore when it doesn't light up. Because a CFL contains electronic components, it is equipped with a mechanism to prevent overheating when it fails. If a light bulb fails, this mechanism, which acts like a fuse, kicks in. When that happens, the CFL base can discolour, and give off a small puff of smoke as well as release an unpleasant odour. In some cases, the plastic at the base of a CFL can melt, and turn black, but major manufacturers have designed the base with special flame retardant plastics that do not burn or drop molten particles. In cases where this situation happens, it is a sign that the bulb's end-of-life mechanism worked as it should have.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/cfl-end-life.cfm?text=N&printview=N

You will find Okanagan BC businesses, services, free classifieds, local arts and crafts, vacation rentals, plus much more located in communities around Okanagan Lake BC. We will be adding to this site constantly, so come back and check it often.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULB (CFL)

FIRE HAZARD