Lava lamps are very unique light fixtures that excel at rendering ambient or mood lighting to create a visually exciting atmosphere in any room they are placed. They are ideal for a wide variety of purposes when it comes to decorative lighting and can act as the centerpiece when you have guests coming over. But, are they safe?
If you are planning to get a lava lamp, you might ask yourself if they are a fire hazard and if there is any risk associated with having it ON all night long? Though they are considered to be quite safe, any electrical product is a fire hazard and the lava lamp is no exception. Leaving them ON all night long, however, is very risky as they tend to get very hot.
Why is it encouraged that you never keep them ON continuously for a long time and what are some of the risks involved in doing so? Want to know what measures you can take to minimize these risks? Let’s find out.
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Are Lava Lamps a Fire Hazard?
Lava lamps are definitely a fire hazard. They can become as hot as 140 degrees Fahrenheit over time, which can lead to them catching fire or even exploding. If you have any flammable material lying around the lamp such as papers or carpets that aren’t fire-resistant, it might lead to a house fire.
A lot of house fires all over the world are often started by something small like a piece of lint catching fire or flammable materials nearby getting ignited. Therefore, the prospect of a lamp exploding must be taken seriously.
A lava lamp is very different from an LED lamp as it generates actual heat to get illuminated. In a liquid motion lava lamp, the light bulb inside generates heat, which then causes the heavier liquid to expand. The difference in densities of the liquids inside is what creates the unique visual look of a lava lamp.
For this same reason, one can’t use an LED lamp inside as it won’t generate enough heat. When they are kept ON for more than 8 hours at a stretch, they get overheated and this makes it a fire hazard.
Can I Leave a Lava Lamp on All Night Long?
Although lava lamps provide an amazing spectacle in terms of mood lighting, there are many risks to having them ON continuously for more than 8 hours. So, leaving them ON all night long is definitely out of the question.
It does present a dilemma though as lava lamps are used primarily for mood lighting and therefore you would want them to be ON overnight even when you go to sleep. Fortunately, there is something you can do but it’s only temporary.
When you first use a lava lamp, it takes a long time for it to get started. Some lamps take 2 to 3 hours whereas others take about 6 hours. As you use it more and more, this duration becomes lesser and lesser.
So technically you might be able to leave them ON overnight but there will always be a risk. If the lava lamp is defective or a low quality one, it might explode way sooner.
Moreover, you might accidentally sleep for more than 8 hours and this might result in the lava lamp overheating too. So, if you have a lava lamp in your kids’ room, always turn it OFF once they go to sleep.
8 Lava Lamp Tips on Minimizing Risks and What Not to Do
Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind when using a lava lamp. Some of them are tips on minimizing risks whereas others are about things you should never do. They are:
- Never shake them – One of the most important rules to follow when using lava lamps is to never shake them. If you do, it will result in the liquid inside giving a cloudy appearance, which will prevent the lava lamps from looking unique.
- Never leave them ON overnight –Lava lamps are not designed to stay ON for more than 8 hours and so you should never keep them ON overnight. To minimize the chances of a fire hazard, you must let the lamps cool down regularly. Ideally, you should not leave them ON for more than 6 hours straight.
- Keep them away from sunlight – Constant exposure to direct sunlight for a prolonged amount of time can cause the lamp to fade and the liquid inside to move slower.
- Never open the pop-top – All lava lamps have an air bubble inside them to help them work properly. If you open the top and fill it with liquid, the lamp might stop working.
- Don’t use higher wattage bulbs – Always read the manual to see what wattage bulbs you need to use when replacing them. Never use a bulb that comes with a higher wattage as it will ruin the lamp and lead to serious consequences.
- They aren’t Hazardous – If your lava lamp breaks, don’t worry about the spillage. They aren’t hazardous to your health but do use a pair of gloves when cleaning it up.
- Never keep them near flammable materials – Although this may sound obvious, over time people forget that any electrical product, especially one that is known for getting hot, should be kept away from flammable materials like paper and magazines.
- Follow the product Instructions – Don’t use any attachments that aren’t recommended by the manufacturer. It could lead to the lava lamp not working or even worse explode.
Conclusion
With lava lamps, you need to follow basic safety precautions and measures as you would with any electrical item that generates heat. This involves never letting them overheat, not keeping them at the edge of a table, and keeping them out of reach from small children.
Always buy one from a reputed manufacturer and if you find it to be defective or working not as intended, contact the manufacturer and raise your concerns or questions. If you hear buzzing or crackling sounds, call an electrician immediately to see if your plug points are working fine.
Lastly, once you do buy a lava lamp, always register it so that you can be contacted if they want to issue a recall. It only takes a few minutes and will greatly help to reduce potential risks from faulty products and to return or repair one when any issues occur.
Hopefully, the above points help you regarding any safety queries you might have had regarding lava lamps. Happy shopping!