The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·03077·Announced 2003-01-30

Cooper Lighting Recalls 500-Watt Halogen Bulbs Due to Fire Hazard

Cooper Lighting is recalling nearly 600,000 Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs because they lack a required warning label about fire risks in indoor fixtures.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (fire hazard) where injury has not yet been reported for the specific recalled units, fitting the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Cooper Lighting Inc. is recalling nearly 600,000 Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs, model numbers WM500Q and BP500Q. The bulbs were sold at Wal-Mart, Lowe's, and smaller retail outlets nationwide between January 1999 and October 2002 for approximately $4 each. The recall is issued because the current packaging does not contain the recommended warning label from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which states: "Warning: Fire Hazard! Do Not Use In Torchieres Or Other Indoor Residential Fixtures."

These 500-watt light bulbs generate very high temperatures compared to incandescent and lower wattage halogen bulbs. They can start a fire if they come into contact with curtains, clothes, or other flammable materials. The bulbs are intended for use in outdoor work lights and flood lamps. While Cooper has not received reports of fires or injuries involving these specific bulbs, the CPSC is aware of at least 290 fires and 25 deaths since 1992 involving halogen torchiere floor lamps.

Consumers currently using these 500-watt bulbs in a torchiere or other indoor residential fixture should remove them immediately. Consumers can continue to use the bulbs in work lights, flood lamps, and similar outdoor fixtures. Cooper has asked retailers to add the warning label to bulb packaging currently on store shelves, and new 500-watt halogen bulbs will contain the label. For more information, consumers can contact Cooper Lighting at (800) 954-7145 or visit www.cooperlighting.com.

The recalled product

Product
Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs
Manufacturer
Cooper Lighting Inc., of Peachtree City, Ga.
Category
Consumer Product — Lighting
Hazard
Affected units
600,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →

Similar recalls