Heat lamp, on 24/7?

[Jumpforyourlife]

This may just be me being paraniod.
I read something on the internet (stupid internet....) about the zoo med heat bulbs(red ones) randomly exploding, or smoking/catching on fire.
Like I said, I'm probably just over worrying. But I currently leave ours on 24/7. Is that okay? I would rather not do so, but it adds necessary heat during the day and is the only source of heat at night. We're working on getting a thermostat for the heat mat, but probably won't be able to get it until next month.

[hazzaram]

I have mine on 24/7. I have to. I have my snakes set up in a larger closet and the heat lamp keeps the ambient temp up in there. Without it, my ambient would drop too low. I unfortunately can't run a heater since our electrical isn't upgraded so I'm stuck with the lamp.

[Reinz]

Mine have been on 24/7 for years (not each).

Maybe the Internet stories are 5th, 6th + generation stories. Possibly the original one involved a foggier or mister going off next to a very hot bulb?

[Jumpforyourlife]

Mine have been on 24/7 for years (not each).

Maybe the Internet stories are 5th, 6th + generation stories. Possibly the original one involved a foggier or mister going off next to a very hot bulb?

Probably. It just worried me a bit, and I wanted to make sure I'm doing the right thing by leaving it on all the time!

[JoshSloane]

Mine are on all day for years. As long as you use it in a lamp approved for that wattage and purpose then you are fine.

[Jumpforyourlife]

Thanks everyone, I feel much less paranoid about it now!!

On a slightly different note but along the same lines, there is currently a hide in there that sits right under the heat lamp (which is right on the screen top), and it's approximately half a foot from the top. Delilah likes to sit on top of it at night to bask. Should I be concerned about her burning herself doing this? The lamp has a 40 watt bulb and it doesn't seem too hot at the level where she sits, but I'm also worried that she'll stretch up and touch the lamp.....