Compared to traditional light bulbs, LED ones offer significant benefits: they consume up to 90% less electricity and last for about 25-40 years.

However, when they first hit the market, people questioned the technology behind them, such as: how safe are LED bulbs? Can LED lights catch on fire? Are they fire hazards compared to incandescent bulbs?

We will try to clear up these questions in this post by first looking at what causes LED lights to catch on fire.

What Makes LED Lights Catch on Fire?

While LED light bulbs do not generate as much heat as conventional light bulbs to cause a fire, this doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be any at all. While the probability may be slim, it can still happen if the LED lights are exposed to external heat, ignite combustible material or if the wires are faulty.

There are then two leading causes of a LED lights fire: the heat generated by the bulb, igniting the combustible material, and faulty wiring of the bulb which catches on fire.

Can LED Lights Cause Contact Fire?

For a LED light bulb to cause a “contact fire,” it must be hot enough and close enough to combustible objects.

This type of fire resembles those resulting from incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. They heat up while turned on and can reach temperatures up to 216 °C within three minutes of being switched on, whereas LED lamps reach up to only an average temperature of 32.6°C within the same amount of time. Due to this vast discrepancy of temperatures, LED bulbs are very unlikely to cause a fire under ordinary circumstances.

Can LED Lights Overheating Cause A Fire?

LED lights last longer because their technology directs the heat generated to a single point, which is at the bottom of the bulb.This means that the heat stays inside the bulb while conventional incandescent bulbs give off about 60-90 % of energy as heat.

Although that makes LED bulbs less of a fire hazard, it should be noted that heat is not the only cause of fires. In fact, wiring problems are one of the main causes of fires and is typically the result of using a bulb with a higher wattage than the socket.

Will Keeping LED Lights On Cause A Fire?

Leaving lights, even inadvertently, is a common thing that many people do, but the bottom line is that it will never be advisable to do so. Any type of light bulb that is left on is a fire hazard.

But if you keep forgetting to turn off the lights, don’t worry. Many smart products display timers and reminders to turn off the lights.

Keep in mind that LED lights do not heat up as much as conventional light bulbs, so the chances of a fire starting are low. However, you should be aware of the risks when leaving the light on. Remember to always switch them off when not in use.

Is It Safe To Leave The LED Strip On All Day?

Because LED strips lights don’t reach very high temperatures, the risks of igniting a fire are minimal.

Fire Safety Measures For LED Lights

Although LED light bulbs can pose some fire risks, they are safer than incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. As long as they are properly installed and the recommended precautions are followed, the risk of electrical fires is virtually zero. Following these precautions can help prevent fires:

• Do not install LED lighting in areas known to have high heat content. 
• If the plastic or wiring of the LED breaks, there is an immediate fire hazard
• Replace worn LED strings or bulbs. Worn wires don’t give as immediate a danger as high heat, but they are still a significant hazard. Electrical wires can corrode and catch fire on their own. That’s why it’s so important to repair the wires in your walls if they show signs of corrosion.
• If you smell smoke or notice other signs of a fault, remove the LED lamp. Examine the area around the bulb and check the wiring of the light for wear. If not, replace the bulb.
• Do not leave the LED bulb on longer than necessary; while it is rare for the LED to self-ignite, it can be dangerous.
• Replace any defective LED bulbs because they might generate an excessive amount of heat which could ignite fire after a certain amount of time. 
• LED lamps and luminaires should not be installed near heat sources or flammable materials. 

 We hope this post “illuminated” helpful knowledge about LED bulbs and how to use them safely. So now you can confidently find your LED lights needs in our store.