Warning about the screw-in CF light bulbs

**MomOfTwoGirls** · 08-15-2007, 10:10 AM

I think we've all heard the stories about those screw-in compact fluorescent light bulbs exploding and what not. I started buying them about a year ago and replacing all of the regular bulbs in my house with the CF to save money on electricity. A few days ago my bathroom light went out. When I went to change it, this is what I found. It was in a globe so that might've been part of my problem, but I've never had one do this before

I've only had this bulb in here for about 6 months.

At least for my enclosed globes, I'm going back to the regular bulbs. Saving a little bit of money isn't worth the risk to my family.

**Mom23boys** · 08-15-2007, 11:20 AM

WOW! I haven't heard that they explode. We have them here in our home too and haven't had a problem yet. We don't have a globe on them so hopefully I will be able to see if they start burning.

I am glad you were home and saw that before something serious happened. Have you called the company that makes them? I would send them an email with a copy of the pictures you have posted here.

**sdrjeolsen** · 08-15-2007, 11:25 AM

Wow, I've never heard of that happening. Thanks for the heads up, I have several of those in my home. I'd call or e-mail the commpany as well. Maybe they have some bulbs that need to be recalled. I'm glad it didn't start a fire.

**frugalfarmwife** · 08-15-2007, 11:26 AM

This really shocked me and I've got to do something about it, I have them in the BARN! Luckily right now with the long daylight hours we don't use the lights but will have to replace them soon. You know you'd think this wouldn't happen since they don't get hot like the regular bulbs, go figure!

kj

**MomOfTwoGirls** · 08-15-2007, 11:40 AM

Actually, I sent the company (GE) an email 2 days ago and haven't heard anything back. On the bulb, it says "GE Helical 20W".

I've heard rumor that the "regular" incandescent bulbs will become obsolete before long and the stores won't carry them. They'd better figure out an alternative for enclosed fixtures like recessed lighting before they go eliminating the only option. Changing a globe to something else will be easy, but a lot of people use recessed lighting and that's not easy to replace.

**Grayce** · 08-15-2007, 02:33 PM

I have read that it is normal for the bulbs to discolour when they burn out and this is not a safety hazard. Please see link below.
http://www.esa-safe.com/pdf/Safety_Alerts/07-03-AL.pdf

**cheappearls** · 08-15-2007, 02:42 PM

Whoa. Good to know that's normal. I've had ours for 9 months now and haven't had to replace one yet but that would have freaked me out. Haha.

**baxjul** · 08-15-2007, 03:32 PM

Wow. I have those in all of my lights. Even if it is normal it's scary! I know when the normal big flourescent lights blow out, they do stink if the balast is bad. Hmmm, I'll have to keep my eye on mine! Thanks for the heads up!

**PB&J** · 08-15-2007, 05:46 PM

I think that is pretty normal with flourescents. We had a big flouresent bar light in our bedroom when we bought our house (don't know WHAT the previous owners were thinking, it is a garage type light and was in the bedroom! lol) But the long bar bulb was darkened on either end.