Question: I need good lighting in my kitchen, and I'm wondering about the safety and brightness of my kitchen light fixture. The kitchen is a dark cube -- 11 by 11 feet, with 11-foot ceilings.It has only one small window. The main light is a large, white, glass-globed fixture suspended from the center of the ceiling by a 2-foot chain. I used to use a 200-watt bulb and was thrilled when I found 300-watt bulbs.However, the bulbs burn out rather often, cost several dollars each and are very hard to find. A couple of weeks ago, the switch and the bulb blew out when I turned on thelight.

I like the brightness, color and quality of the 300-watt bulb, but how can I have this much light without having a fire hazard and without blowing out switches and bulbs?

My house is more than 100 years old and I've lived in it since1969. It is an endless work in progress!

CAROL DeWITT, Oakland

Answer: Electricity and its benefits must be well-managed or it will turn on us and cause disaster. People tend to take the power of electricity for granted -- when they do they get careless. This is a recipe for trouble because electricity and fire go hand in hand.

The first line of defense against an electrical disaster in a home isthe circuit protection device -- fuses, circuit breakers or ground-fault circuit interrupters. Their function is to break the electrical circuit if more demand is placed on the system than it was designed to carry.

Next, the wiring inside the walls should be adequate for the loadit's expected to carry.

Electric outlets allow us to plug in appliances that make our lives easier. When a home is being built or remodeled, one of the first tasks is to determine where appliances will go so that anappropriate wiring layout can be plotted. In newer or remodeled homes, there are specific code requirements for outlet placement. This is to ensure that there will be enough outlets in the room to minimize the chance of overloading a circuit or needing too many extension cords and outlet doublers that might overload a single outlet.

Older homes, however, weren't built under that requirement and typically have few outlets, so people tend to add extension cords and outlet adapters to expand the capability of the few outlets that exist to fulfill all their electrical needs.

RISK OF FIRE

The greatest fire hazard created by residents is overloading outlets.Adding an extension cord to an outlet, running it under drapes or carpets, and overloading it with high-demand electric fixtures and appliances are all risky.

A frayed cord is another fire hazard. Electric cords have a layer of insulation to contain the heat generated by the electricity flowing through them. If this heat escapes the wiring through a frayed edge, it can ignite nearby fabrics and even the wire itself.

USE THE RIGHT BULB

Never, never use a bulb with greater wattage than recommended by the fixture's manufacturer. A bulb that exceeds the rating capacity of the fixture could overheat and explode, causing a fire. If you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer of the fixture. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely; loose bulbs may overheat. Also, an overloaded built-in fixture's wire could smolder and start a fire inside the walls.

Another hazard is electric shock, which can cause severe injuries or death. Never attempt electrical repair work yourself if you are not qualified for that type of work. Your home insurance coverage might be invalidated if electrical work is done by someone not licensed and there is a fire afterward.

There are safe ways to add more light to a room. The first step is to replace the existing overhead fixture with one that's designed to take brighter bulbs, more of them and still is appropriate for your home's wiring. Additional fixtures strategically placed for effective task lighting are another part of the solution.

Potential hazards can be easily identified and corrected:

-- Make certain lamp and extension cords are not cracked, frayed, or covered by rugs or furniture.

-- Check light bulb wattage to ensure it is appropriate for thefixture.

-- Electrical appliances should be kept away from damp and hot surfaces and have adequate ventilation.

-- Dim or flickering lights, arcs or sparks, sizzling or buzzing sounds from your electrical system, odors, hot switch plates, loose plugs and damaged insulation are signs of potential hazards.

If you suspect that your electrical system is not adequate, consult a qualified, licensed electrician.

No matter which approach or combination you take to solve your lighting dilemma, do it properly -- and safely. Ultimately, it's notworth the risk to be penny wise and pound foolish in this area ofyour home.

 

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