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Safety Warning About 500-Watt Halogen Bulbs

Jan. 30, 2003

Cooper Lighting Inc. 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.

While Cooper has not received any reports of fires or injuries, the CPSC is aware of at least 290 fires and 25 deaths since 1992 involving halogen torchiere floor 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 www.cooperlighting.com.

To meet the current Underwriters Laboratories standard, halogen torchiere floor lamps must be equipped with a protective glass or wire guard and have a halogen bulb that is 300 watts or less.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

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