Heat lamp + Plastic brooding bin = Fire hazard?

[SamJB]

I'm worried that when we put a heat lamp connected to a plastic bin with the bedding it could be a fire hazard

 

[Moose The Ameraucana]

If you have a black bulb you should be fine but also with a plastic bin i wouldnt worry either

the worst that can happen is the plastic might melt a little but not enough to cause a problem.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I know a lot of pple use the large plastic bins as brooders (I don't, I used the watermelon boxes you can get at any supermarket with a screen frame made of hardware cloth and set the light directly on the wire) those who use the bins with the heat lamps seem fine. I would be sure that it cant slip around and melt it. Maybe hang light from ceiling?

 

[JodyJo]

wow, funny you posted this, I just got 3 new chicks, and did the same, but a heat bulb on the tub, stupid, went back a bit later to see how the temps were doing, (this was before I got the chicks) it had melted part of the container! yikes!

 

[andalusn]

When I have used the red heat lamps in the past they are hung above the plastic bin and the bin has a wire mesh top. I have seen others stack two or three high cement blocks (open ended type) from a home improvement store on either side of the tote. Then they run a 2 x 4 through that to the other side and the cord for the lamp is wrapped around it lightly to take up slack and suspend over the tote above the peeps. Of course you have to adjust this to whatever style of tote your using as to side height. Personally I have switched from the red lamps to a Brinsea Eco Glo or you can get sweeter heaters. Each is very safe and no worries about fire plus no light on 24/7 along with very low wattage needs.