Electrical Safety Advice for Lava Lamps

Lava lamps usage and safety

Lava lamps are a relaxing addition to any home and have become much more common in recent years. But it’s important to use them safely.

Lava lamps work by using a small bulb in the base which heats the glass bottle above containing wax suspended in translucent liquid.

Once the wax warms up it rises, reaches the top of the bottle, cools, and sinks back down. This creates lots of interesting visual shapes in the wax.

They come in many shapes and sizes with larger lamps generating more heat from the bulb to warm the wax. Some lamps also have glitter inside them to create a sparkle effect.

Key points

All lava lamps must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse.

Whichever type you choose, buy from a reputable retailer.

Ensure all parts are at room temperature before turning it on.

Use the correct wattage bulb for the lava lamp.

Buying a lava lamp

Always buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the product may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug.
Avoid buying second-hand lava lamps as you won't know their history.
You will find lots of online reviews of lava lamps but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.
Register your lava lamp so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a lava lamp safely

Lava lamps are generally safe to use if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take a few sensible precautions before and during use.
Ensure all parts are at room temperature before you switch it on and unplug the lava lamp before putting on or taking off its various parts.
Keep the cable cord away from heated surfaces and don’t use any attachments not recommended by the manufacturer.
Use on a level stable spot, away from carpets and other flammable materials. Keep out of reach of small children and pets.
After switching it off, allow the glass to cool down before handling the bottle.
Stop using your lava lamp if it has a damaged cable or plug, is not working properly, has been dropped or damaged, or dropped into water.
Unplug your lava lamp before cleaning it and, when not in use, store it on a cool, dry, and flat surface. Wrap the cable around the base of the lava lamp and keep it away from any moisture.
Check the plug and socket regularly for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.
Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.
Register your lava lamp with the manufacturer.
Switch off your lava lamp and unplug it when not in use.

AVOID

Buying from third-party sellers online.
Changing a bulb while the lava lamp is plugged in.
Using any attachments not recommended by the manufacturer.
Using a lava lamp if there are signs of damage to the wires or plug.

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician.

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Additional info

It’s important to dispose of lava lamps in an eco-friendly way because their liquid contents consist of petroleum-based wax and different chemicals.

Simply throwing them out or pouring them down a drain can contaminate soil and water. Instead, check if your local recycling centres will take the glass and metal components of the lava lamp.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Lava lamps