"Was Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs recalled?"

Q: "Was Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs recalled?"

"Yes. CPSC recall #03077 was issued on 2003-01-30. These 500-watt light bulbs generate very high temperatures, compared to incandescent and lower wattage halogen bulbs and can start a fire, if they come in contact with curtains, clothes or other flammable material. These bulbs are intended for use in outdoor work lights and flood lamps. To meet the current Underwriters Laboratories standard, halogen torchiere floor lamps must be equipped with a protective glass or wire guard and have a halogen bulb that is 300 watts or less."

CPSC, Cooper Lighting Warn About 500-Watt Halogen Bulbs

Source: CPSC Recall #03077

Recall Date

2003-01-30

Manufacturer

Cooper Lighting Inc., of Peachtree City, Ga.

Units Affected

Nearly 600,000

Products Involved

Regent 500-watt halogen bulbs

Hazard

These 500-watt light bulbs generate very high temperatures, compared to incandescent and lower wattage halogen bulbs and can start a fire, if they come in contact with curtains, clothes or other flammable material. These bulbs are intended for use in outdoor work lights and flood lamps. To meet the current Underwriters Laboratories standard, halogen torchiere floor lamps must be equipped with a protective glass or wire guard and have a halogen bulb that is 300 watts or less.

Remedy

Cooper has asked retailers to add the label to bulb packaging currently on store shelves and new 500-watt halogen bulbs will contain the label. Consumers currently using these 500-watt bulbs in a torchiere or indoor residential fixture should remove them immediately. Consumers can continue to use the 500-watt halogen bulbs in work lights, flood lamps, and similar outdoor fixtures.

Reported Injuries

While Cooper has not received any reports of fires or injuries, the CPSC is aware of at least 290 fires and 25 deaths since 1992, involving halogen torchiere floor lamps.

Sold At

Wal-Mart, Lowe's and smaller retail outlets nationwide sold these 500-watt halogen bulbs, between January 1999 and October 2002, for about $4.

Full Recall Description

Current packaging for the Regent 500-Watt Halogen Bulb, with model numbers WM500Q and BP500Q, does not contain the recommended warning label of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The label should read, "Warning: Fire Hazard! Do Not Use In Torchieres Or Other Indoor Residential Fixtures." Cooper has asked retailers to add the label to bulb packaging currently on store shelves and new 500-watt halogen bulbs will contain the label.

View on CPSC.gov →

Data source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) via SaferProducts.gov.

For the most current recall information, check directly with CPSC or the manufacturer.

Last verified: 2026-03-28