Let’s be honest: We can’t live without light bulbs. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to use them when it comes to light bulb safety. To prevent a fire from being started by a light bulb in your home, our company offers these light bulb safety tips:
Never use a light bulb that exceeds the recommended wattage for your light fixture. A lamp that calls for a 60 watt bulb cannot handle a 120 watt bulb; that’s twice the recommended wattage! It’s a major fire hazard. Stay within the lamp manufacturer’s recommended wattage limits.
Always screw in your light bulbs completely. Screwing in a light bulb too loosely may seem inconsequential, but it can be a big fire hazard if the bulb overheats – which loose bulbs have been known to do quite often.
Use common sense when it comes to leaving lamps on. Having your lamp on for a couple of hours as you watch television is fine; leaving it on all night while you sleep is not. An overheated bulb can catch fire very quickly, especially if it is a bulb that is near the end of its life.
If your lamp requires a specialty bulb, that is the bulb you should buy. For instance, if you have a heat lamp for a pet, you should purchase the special bulb that the lamp calls for. An ordinary household bulb may not be able to handle the wattage of the lamp, which could cause a fire if you are required to leave the heat lamp on all the time.
Sometimes, homeowners use their lights as a safety measure by leaving a lamp on while they will be gone overnight. However, the bulb could catch fire while it is left burning unattended for so long.
Ready to ensure your lighting is working for you, not against you? Pye-Barker Fire & Safety provides comprehensive electrical hazard assessments that examine lighting systems alongside your broader fire prevention strategy. Our certified professionals identify risks you might miss and provide practical solutions that keep your property safe.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation that could save your property—and your peace of mind.