Fire Danger from CFL's (compact Flourescent Lamps)

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's) use electricity to heat an element in a lamp's base that leads the mercury vapor to produce light. At the end of a CFL bulb's life the heating element may continue to function, and produce a fire. There have been hundreds of reports to the consumer product safety commission regarding smoking of these bulbs, but there is at least one documented death from a CFL in a cause and origin investigation by the New York City Fire Marshal's office. As a result manufacturing standards were altered in 2009 to produce a safer base, however all bulbs manufactured before 2009, specifically Trisonic and Globe brands, manufactured in China, represent a potential hazard. Trisonic bulbs were recalled, but many have been sold and not accounted for.  In the case of the fire death, the bulb was in a closet and ignited clothing and paper. If you continue to use such bulbs they should be in a fireproof fixture and not near any substance that could catch fire.