1.8 million light bulbs recalled for glue defects

Because a defect can allow the outer glass to fall, some fairly common light bulbs are being recalled nationwide.

The Philips bulbs, listed at $11 to $24, are dimmable compact fluorescents with a floodlight shape, where the glass fans out from the base to a flattened end.

The Philips name was on the packages, with the added label of EnergySaver, Marathon or Marathon Classic and descriptive wording such as Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector Flood Lamp, according to the announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Philips Lighting Co.

The recalled models - R30, R40 and Par38 - were manufactured between March 2007 and May 2010.

More than 1.8 million of these bulbs are potentially covered under the recall, which was prompted by "700 reports of lamps where the glue failed and the glass outer envelope fell, including two reports of minor injury and three reports of minor property damage," according to the recall announcement.

Here's what to look for:

R30: Either look on the ceramic base of the bulb for model number EL/A R30 Dim 16w, or check if the UPC on the package reads 46677 13 7076 or 46677 15 0419.

R40: Model number EL/A R40 Dim 20w on the bulb, or UPC numbers 46677 13 7083 or 46677 15 0426 on the package.

Par38: Model number EL/A Par38 Dim 20w on the bulb, or UPC numbers 46677 14 6443 or 46677 15 0433 on the package.

Further, look for one of these date codes near the bulb's screw-in base: C7 to M7 (for March to December 2007), A8 to M8 (January to December 2008), A9 to D9 (January to April 2009), 0916 to 0953 (April to December 2009), 1001 to 1022 (January to May 2010).

Consumers with any of the recalled bulbs should stop using them and contact Philips for instructions on how to get free replacements. Call Philips toll-free at 866-622-6372 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays, or go to www.recall.philips.com/en_us.html.

Also see the USCPSC announcement, with pictures of the bulbs and packaging, at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11302.html.