<p>For those of you still gearing up for move-in day, I wanted to share our experience with the BBB "octopus" lamp. My D selected the multi-colored variety, but when we walked into the dorm with it a student staff member told us we should take it back. This type of lamp, with multiple plastic shades, has been the cause of fires at several schools, and the staff member said that D would have issues with safety officials at the dorm if she put it up. Because we did not want D to deal with either a fire hazard or official static, we put the lamp back in the car. Evidently the cone-shaped plastic shades and hot light bulbs do not mix. Just thought I'd say something before y'all pack your cars.</p>
<p>Thank you. Roomate is bringing one of those.</p>
<p>Msread is absolutely correct. They took the lamp away from my d last year (they gave it back at end of semester so she could take it home- Thanks!)</p>
<p>Didn't realizes it was known as Octopus Lamp-- but you just reminded me, we need to get another lamp!!</p>
<p>Yikes! D's RM bought one of these - wonder if it will be a problem...</p>
<p>Thanks for warning others. My kids do not own this but I have seen it before. I would think that if it had caused some fires that it would have been recalled!</p>
<p>If you read the directions, it calls for 40 watt bulbs. If you put in higher it will get too hot.</p>
<p>I don't think the problem is with all octopus lamps, just the one from BBB with multi-colored shades. Check out <a href="http://www.ul.com/newsroom/newsrel/nr030207.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ul.com/newsroom/newsrel/nr030207.html</a> . Unfortuantely, some schools may be banning all octopus lamps.</p>
<p>Isn't it kind of ridiculous that they are selling these left and right in all the stores "dorm" displays????</p>
<p>I think D's RM got hers from Target - maybe they'll be ok....</p>
<p>My d's college forbids any upward-pointing lamps. That includes any whose necks can be bent to point upwards. We have one of those (but not the one subject to recall) and she wanted to take it. Until she read the rules . . .</p>
<p>I'm going to get one from Target and put flor. lightbulbs in it.</p>
<p>Anyways, here's the problem:
Too many kids were putting the standard 60W lightbulbs in, leaving it on for hours, and then the plastic shades were melting. Basically, they were being dumb and/or lazy about the lightbulbs, and couldn't figure out how to turn the thing off upon leaving their room. Viola, fire hazard.</p>
<p>We did have the "right lightbulbs"- I read the instructions too.</p>
<p>The "dorm authority" didn't care- they are responsible for a few hundred lives. </p>
<p>I am glad they took the lamps away. I think it is better to err on the side of caution.</p>
<p>I am just curious though- If I knew about this last year, and my d's "impersonal" state U took the action last year- did any other schools take any action??</p>
<p>Sorry to bring it up- but I do get Sooo tired of hearing negative comments about State U's. My kid's school seems to be on the ball at least in regard to student safety.</p>
<p>Does anyone have info on clamp lamps that I should be aware of? We sent daughter a metal gooseneck clamp lamp that specifies a 60 watt bulb. It was fairly close to the bedding and I mentioned to her not leave it for long periods of time and never when she is not in the bed. I noticed yesterday that she had turned it so it was facing the ceiling.</p>
<p>My neighbor's D took an octupus lamp to her school on Sat. and they were told to get rid of it too. Luckily they had never taken it out of the box so it made the trip back home and back to Target. They were told the same thing...the plastic will melt</p>
<p>What about something pricier, say from PBTeen. If it were metal, it would be okay? I'm guessing fabric shades are out too? I see that some schools don't even allow curtains--they consider them to be a fire hazard, as well.</p>
<p>We got a notice of some sort from school about these, and consequently I was very surprised to see them prominently displayed at Bed, Bath and Beyond's "back to college" department. </p>
<p>What, they don't care that their stuff is a fire hazard?! :(</p>
<p>And make sure you stay away from halogen lamps as well. Many colleges don't allow them because the bulbs get very hot and can start fires. Many desk lamps have halogen bulbs select carefully.</p>
<p>D's school does not allow either type. Both the student orientation and the parent orientation had them on the official list of "contraband" items!</p>
<p>My D just moved back in with her octopus (for the third year in a row) and no one said anything. Hers was purchased at Target. The maximum wattage posted inside each plastic shade is 60W, I had her replace all bulbs with 40W to be safe. Also reminded her never to leave it on when she leaves the room. Thanks for the heads up!</p>
<p>I only use fluorescent bulbs anymore. They even have them for for use with dimmer switches. </p>
<p>Cheap to run, don't generate heat, Go GREEN.</p>
<p>Didn't know they were banned, but makes sense, given the softer plastic on the shades. My ex noticed the fire hazard as we were putting it together. But we use compact fluorescents only, so should not be an issue. Might be a suggestion to use CF for all college lamps, as is less of a heat source, in addition to all the positive environmental reasons. No fire danger!</p>