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I have used CFLs for over 10 years and have not seen a failure that involved more than a small amount of burned resistor smell in the room. By last count, I have about 30 of these devices in my house.
For grins, today I cut open 3 failed units (I save them for recycle because of the tiny amount of mercury in each tube).
In the oldest unit (which had been in service since 4/28/01), a small fuse (marked 4A) was the first component in the circuit before a cap and the diode bridge. In two newer units, a small 1/4 watt 4.7 ohm resistor and a coil wound with very small wire preceded the cap and diode bridge. In one unit, the resistor was open, in the other (which was replaced because it had started to flicker somewhat, when cold) the "fuse" resistor was ok. Nothing that I found in the units that I autopsied gave me any cause for concern.
I also did a "flame test" (using a match) on small piece of plastic from one of the bases and found that it only melted, and did not appear to support combustion after the match was removed.
Perhaps some earlier units or obscure brands were not fused, I don't know! Mine were marked "GE" , "N:Vision" and "Commercial Electric".
jr
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