Strike Force Emergency Response

02/18/2025

09/05/2022

From my friends over at Oakfield Fire Dept: I have personally removed CFL lamps from my home and other properties after a catastrophic ballast failure as noted here. I have upgraded all my old CFL lamps to LED where possible and have experienced zero of this type failure.

Earlier this morning, Oakfield Fire responded for report of something burning when an exhaust fan was turned. Upon investigation, this CFL light bulb was found to be the culprit. As seen in the picture, this resident was extremely close to having a more serious event happen.

Although they are known to be energy-efficient, CFL light bulbs are highly prone to causing fires due to failure. The internal ballast (white area above the socket) have been known to fail and burn thru the outer housing, which can look like a flame from a blow torch.

If you wish to use energy-efficient light bulbs, consider going with LEDs. They operate on minimal wattage and do not get hot like traditional bulbs and CFLs. Choose a well-known brand and not the lesser because it is cheaper. Cheaper does not always mean better. Also, make sure you are using bulbs for their intended purpose, as some bulbs are not allowed to be used in certain appliances. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the appliance.