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What's in Your Closet?

By
Home Inspector with The House Whisperer

Incandescent Light BulbGoogling 'light bulb temperature'... states a 60 watt bulb can reach 260 degrees at the surface... a 100 watt bulb is in the neighborhood of 390 degrees.

Closet light fixture clearances require all incandescent light bulbs be enclosed (glass globe) and that the light fixture be installed
at least 12" from storage.

It's common to find unprotected light bulbs in older bedroom closets. Today's construction will include fluorescent, CFL or LED light fixtures or ceiling recessed lights... these lights operate at much cooler temperatures.

In this photo, the glass globe is missing... not good.

Say you're running late in the morning and leave this closet light on... It's possible the clothing could start on fire... And you'd come home to ashes.

Tamara Schuster
Naperville Glen Ellyn Lisle Plainfield Wheaton Illinois - Naperville, IL
Realtor Broker - Naperville

Great tip!  This is somthing we rarely think about.

Dec 22, 2011 04:11 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

Just a question how would the cloths catch on fire in the ceiling.

Dec 22, 2011 04:12 PM
Chuck Beaumont
Royal Lepage Binder Real Estate - Windsor, ON
Going The Extra Mile...

Thanks for the FYI. Actually a great tip. Happy Holidays to you.

Dec 22, 2011 04:15 PM
Gabrielle Nemes
RE/MAX Realty South - Tumwater, WA
206.300.8421, S King & Pierce County RE Advocate

Wow, I had no idea bulbs got that hot. Good to know ... and a bit scary too. I've seen lots of houses with fixtures like the one in this picture.

Dec 22, 2011 04:18 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Glenn, a 100 watt bulb caused quite a 2nd degree burn on my thumb a few weeks back.  Now I know what temperature I was being cooked at.  I'm thinking about raising the indoor temp by using a couple more halogens around the house.  In the closet they would be a certain disaster. 

Dec 22, 2011 04:20 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Been there, done that.

 Years ago I tossed a shirt over an end table lamp.  The shirt touched the bulb, and it caught on fire.  Had I not been home to smell the smoke and put out the fire, it could have burned down the apartment, and even the apartment complex.

Great tip, Glenn!

Dec 22, 2011 04:42 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

That is a scary scenario Glenn, and it's not too far fetched either.

Thanks for bringing this to light.

(couldn't resist)  :)

Dec 22, 2011 05:11 PM