My heat lamp bulb blew up!!!!

[baldie]

Hi all, I just want to let everyone know about my scare this morning. I woke up and turned the eggs in the bator and checked on my chicks that are on my computer desk. They were fine. I took my 10 yr old out to the bus and when I came back the bulb was out (red reptile bulb). I went to move it and it turned on even though the bulb was missing half of itself. Then it sparked and smoked. I unplugged it and took the broke bulb out. All was right. It was the right size bulb for the holder. The glass that broke fell on the chicks in the brooder..... I am just glad that I got here right when it happened and the chicks didn't try to eat the glass. I have reptiles and tons of these things and have used heat lamps for years and have never saw this happen. I am just glad I was here when it did.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Thankgoodnes those chicks didn't eat any of it. I 'm sure all of you had a good scare. I've never heard of one of those bulbs blowing up before. Perhaps it was a defect in the bulb.

 

[aidenbaby]

That would have freaked me out too. Probably caused by a defect in the bulb that is naked to the eye.

 

[baldie]

The funny part is I have been using this bulb for about a month with NO problems. And I always thought they were safe. I never had one do this to any reptile tanks or anything. I know everyone worrys about them catching on fire due to touching something. But to have this happen, I am thankful I walked in the room when I did and that there was not a fire. The sparks and smoke was not fun.
I am hoping that by posting about what happened to me that people will know and possibly prevent someone from having this happen. If the bulb was close to anything flamable, I am sure it would have ignited.

 

[Julie08]

Quote:
Can someone clarify this statement?

 

[cluckychick]

Quote:
Can someone clarify this statement?

She's saying the bulb had a defect that could not be seen with the naked eye. It probably had a hairline fracture. When they get hot the pop.

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I have learned to keep a couple of extra red bulbs in stock. Out of the 5 bulbs I have bought in a 5 week period, two have blown! I took them back to tractor supply. They are the westinghouse 250 watt red bulb. Just always keep extras around.

 

[aidenbaby]

Yeah, what clucky said. I don't think my brain has fully switched on yet. I seem to be having a hard time putting thoughts into words.

 

[baldie]

I have tons of them. I have to use them for the lizards and snake as well as the baby chicks. I have used these kinds of bulbs for over 10 years now and have not had this happen....ever. The smoke from it alone was weird. It was quite a bit. I have had bulbs blow out and just quit working, but not this. There were shards of glass all over the place. In the chicks cage on the desk and floor. When it blew, it went everywhere.