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Himalayan salt lamp
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- Salt lamp with a safety-listed cord and dimmer. Best for: Decorative evening light. See options on Amazon
- USB-powered mini salt lamp. Best for: Desks and small spaces. See options on Amazon
What CPSC found
In a 2020 letter to the group that maintains the UL 153 standard for portable electric lamps, CPSC staff described an analysis of salt lamps after reviewing 226 incident reports. Staff defined salt lamps as portable lamps that contain salt as a base, a decorative part or the barrier around the bulb, and examined incident samples as well as newly purchased lamps. Reports described products that exploded, melted, burned, caught fire, left burn marks, shocked people, sparked, tripped breakers or produced smoke. The parts involved included the power cord, on/off switch, dimmer switch, bulb, lampholder, wiring, circuit board and plug.
Staff noted that although the samples included certified electrical parts, none of the examined products was certified as a whole product. They recommended that salt lamps meet all applicable UL 153 requirements and proposed adding overcurrent protection to the power cord, because salt is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture, which can contribute to electrical shorting and overheating.
A past recall
In January 2017, Michaels recalled about 80,000 Lumière-brand rock salt lamps because the dimmer switch or outlet plug could overheat and ignite, posing shock and fire hazards. The lamps were pink, mounted on a wooden base or in a black metal basket, made in Pakistan and sold from July 2016 through November 2016. CPSC told consumers to stop using them immediately and return them for a full refund. No incidents or injuries were reported in that recall.
Search CPSC's recall database by brand or model before buying a secondhand lamp.
Safety checks before you buy
| Check | What to look for | Why, per CPSC staff |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-product certification | A safety listing for the lamp itself, not just the cord | None of the examined lamps was certified as a whole product |
| Cord and dimmer | Sturdy cord, dimmer that stays cool | Cords, switches and dimmers appear in incident reports |
| Overcurrent protection | A cord with built-in protection | Staff proposed integral overcurrent protection for salt lamps |
| Low-voltage power | A plug-in Class 2 power unit | Staff exempted lamps powered by a compliant Class 2 power unit from the cord protection proposal |
Using a salt lamp safely
- Inspect often. Look for a cracked or brittle cord, a warm or discolored dimmer, or corrosion around the bulb holder, and stop using the lamp if you see any of these.
- Keep it dry. Salt draws in moisture, so keep the lamp away from humidifiers, bathrooms and wet surfaces, and wipe off any damp film.
- Use the right bulb. Replace bulbs with the type and wattage the maker specifies.
- Unplug when away and do not leave it on overnight beside a bed or near curtains.
- Protect furniture. Set it on a tray or mat, since a damp salt block can leave residue.
If a lamp overheats, smokes or sparks, unplug it, stop using it and report it to the CPSC.
Children and pets
A salt lamp is a heavy block on a cord, so place it where children cannot pull it down. Keep lamps out of reach of pets as well and ask your veterinarian if a pet has eaten salt from a lamp and seems unwell. For a calmer evening light without the moisture issue, consider a timer-controlled lamp or the scent options in our essential oil diffuser guide.
What a salt lamp can and cannot do
A salt lamp gives a warm, dim glow that many people find pleasant in the evening. Health claims you may see in listings, such as cleaning the air or improving sleep, are marketing claims; the government safety documents we reviewed address the lamps only as electrical products. If you want to improve indoor air, see our air quality monitor guide, and for winter mood, our SAD lamp guide explains light therapy, which is a different, much brighter kind of light.
What to look for when you buy
Salt lamp with a safety-listed cord and dimmer
Best for: Decorative evening light
CPSC staff traced incidents to cords, switches and dimmers, so these parts matter most.
Watch out: Check for a listing on the whole lamp, not only the cord.
See options on AmazonUSB-powered mini salt lamp
Best for: Desks and small spaces
CPSC staff treated lamps on compliant low-voltage Class 2 power units differently in their proposal.
Watch out: Use the supplied power unit, and keep it dry.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Are Himalayan salt lamps safe?
- They are lamps; CPSC staff reviewed 226 incident reports involving cords, dimmers, bulbs and plugs, so inspect the electrical parts.
- Were salt lamps recalled?
- Yes. In 2017 Michaels recalled about 80,000 Lumière rock salt lamps for dimmer and plug overheating.
- Why do salt lamps get wet?
- CPSC staff note that salt is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air.
- Can I leave a salt lamp on overnight?
- Unplug it when you are away or asleep, especially if the cord or dimmer feels warm.
- Do salt lamps purify the air?
- Treat that as a marketing claim; the safety sources we reviewed address salt lamps only as electrical products.
Sources
- CPSC staff letter to UL on Portable Electric Luminaires (UL 153), salt lamps (cpsc.gov), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Michaels Recalls Rock Salt Lamps Due to Shock and Fire Hazards (cpsc.gov), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission