Haywards Heath man learns lesson of always ‘read instructions’

The danger of not reading instruction leaflets has been exposed after an aquarium owner living near Haywards Heath found that his eyes were starting to hurt.

The man had bought what he thought was the right replacement ultraviolet bulb for his aquarium.

Only it was the wrong bulb, and much stronger.

The incident was investigated by West Sussex Trading Standards after the fish fan was told by doctors he had burned the corneas of his eyes due to excessive UV rays from the bulb. Fortunately the damage was not permanent.

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The stronger lamp was actually meant for the filter system of an outdoor pond,

It was a much higher wattage, and completely unsuitable for an indoor fish tank.

There were clear instructions with the lamp on how to use it, but the fish owner simply hadn’t read them. The bulbs were for sale next to the “aquarium” section of the premises and it was of the right length to fit his tank.

“Unfortunately the bulb fitted perfectly into the aquarium lamp socket, and later in the day the owner noticed some of the fish in the tank were dying,” said Lionel Barnard, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member who oversees Trading Standards.

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“Many people don’t like reading instructions and safety warnings, but it’s always a good idea – and one that can prevent injury or even death.”

He urged consumers to make careful choices, and ask a member of staff in the shop if uncertain.

Trading Standards are writing to aquatic centres alerting them to the incident and urging them as a matter of good practice to ensure that pond filter UV lights are not displayed next to low wattage aquarium UV lights.