PSM04 and LM15A socket rockets

[birdzeye]

Hi,
I recently purchased some of these and already 2 have "blown". The first one, LM15A, worked fine in a table lamp with a 40w regular bulb until the brand new bulb blew out and then the socket rocket would not work.
The second one, PSM04, was in a hall light fixture 60w regular bulb, it worked fine until the next day when I could smell something like plastic burning and then the thing just would not turn on again. When I looked inside the part where the bulb screws in, there was like a brown liquid/oil in there which smelled like the smell I just mentioned. Are these things a potential fire hazard?

I have never had any problems with electricity in my house (knock on wood) up to this point, and I'm at a loss as to what I'm supposed to do to make these little creatures work properly. Any suggestions?

[Brian H]

I have seen the LM15A damaged and not turn off. After a bulb has blown out and the surge killed it.
Can't say about the PSM04.

[birdzeye]

Is there something you can get to stop power surges from large appliances such as the frig and washer/dryer? Thought I read something in these posts but cannot find it now. What works best with x10 for this purpose?

[Brian H]

I have only seen surges through the Socket Rocket from a failing bulb, but maybe an external surge could do it.
I don't remember any links here but if there are. Someone will point them out. Have you tried an advanced search here?