[Rokinronda]

Barefoot, I didn't know fireboy meant just that!! Could I please put out a much needed plea with you and fireboy and all grandparents and parents!?? Could you spread the word?? Our story, In 1995 I was headed off to bed, and took a peek at our son (11)sleeping, and daughter(15) reading in bed, saying "good night sweetie, don't stay up too late!". At 6:55 AM the smoke alarms sounded! Thank God! We ran to our daughters room and the horror of seeing her bed in flames! Got the kids outside, hubby grabbed the hose, I grabbed a huge vase of flowers in water and we put the fire out. The firemen arrived right after and said "good job", but it was their job to fight fires. It was probably 3 minutes total. Our daughter had burns on her legs. I thought she was smoking in bed. You see, grandpa had bought our daughter a clip-on lamp that she could attach to her headboard to read (avid reader). Grandpa had recently passed and would have had a heart attack if he had been alive. Our daughter fell asleep with the clip-on light on and must have knocked the wire during the night and the lamp fell between the bed and the wall and caught the bedding on fire. The firemen took the lamp to check for an electrical malfunction and determined that it wasn't electrical and threw the lamp away. The dumpster was empty and "The lamp" in the landfill. Apparently the clamp was not strong enough!!! We had no proof. I found a similar lamp at a store and sure enough, it was a weak clamp!! I told the store manager. I wrote letters. There was nothing I could do without "the lamp". No proof of the maker, etc.. I did get a letter similar to this note published in the Providence Journal twice, and the town paper and spread the word. I received many thanks from many concerned people. How many college DORMITORY FIRES have been started by clip on lamps??!! I shudder to even think about it. PLEASE PLEASE CALL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!! Throw away any novelty type clip-on lamps. I really tried to put them out of production!!! But I am afraid they are still being sold!!! Horrifying!!!

[Rokinronda]

If I can get even 1 more clip-on lamp thrown away, this post will be worth it!!!

[Barefoot]

Good information to know, Ronda. What a scary situation that must have been for you! I will certainly pass this information on to Fireboy (who is the Captain of a Rescue Squad in a downtown Toronto Firehall). I know that he will pass this information on to his peers.

[Rokinronda]

Thanks fireboy for what you do!!! I loved Toronto!!! Beautiful clean modern city when I went about 15 years ago!

[KathieI]

Thanks Ronda, good information. I've known about this clip on lamp problem for awhile. Also the tensor lamps are the same. The shades (if metal) get too hot and are a hazard for burns. Also be careful about the wattage used in lamps, if the lamp stipulates no more than 60 or 75 watts, than be sure to use that level, not more. I know of some people who ignore the manufacturers recommendations, and that is not smart.

BTW, Toronto, . I was commuting there in the 70's and was offered a temporary position there but it was hard to leave SoCal for snow... The city at that time was going through a resurgence and it was quite impressive to be witness to. I've always said if I couldn't live in Los Angeles, I'd live in Toronto or London, both of which I received temporary overseas assignments to but turned both down??? :dontknow:

Kathie :redface:

[chelsea24]

Great post Ronda! I never knew this about clip-on lamps. I've had a couple before but won't purchase one again. :bigthumbsup: