Second time using the paper, first time fogging

I think my safelight is fogging my paper, had some weird issues printing and ended up pulling a scrap of paper out in the dark and developing it - white; and then took another scrap of paper and let it sit for a minute by the enlarger with the safelight on, waved it under the safelight and then developed it - light gray.

The paper is Arista FB VC matte and the safelight is an old 5x7 one with an orange-ish brown-ish filter.

I've used this paper before without noticing any ill effects like this. Three changes since the last time I used it and I don't think any of them apply to the situation: 1. different enlarger 2. last time I was using this paper in 5x7, this time 8x10 and 3. the safelight electric cord is having some issues, I had to move it around so it was hanging straight down in the middle of the room where I would bump into it occasionally and when I would bump into it the safelight would turn off and on again until the cord stopped swaying. Again I can't think that any of those effect the fogging, I did suspect the enlarger but for the test I did with the scraps the enlarger was off the whole time.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help

I would certainly think your problem is the safe light. Just because the lens is "orangish-brown" does not make it safe. You need to be certain you have an "OC" filter (not OA) or a number 2 red to be safe. Just so you know, not all papers can be used with the OC filter, some papers from eastern Europe must be used under red #2, and then you need make sure it is at least one meter from your work area.

Only sure way to know is to test. Without testing, we are just guessing.

You can just rip the paper in half and test with safe light on and enlarger off, and safe light off and enlarger on.

In my particular case, my enlarger has a good amount of light leak that goes horizontally from the light source. I had to put a black paper behind it to prevent that light bouncing off of the white wall and hitting the paper.

You don't have more than one sheet of paper out while enlarger is exposing, right?

I think that paper requires a deep red safelight. ( the Arista VC RC semi-matte does )

Thanks everyone. The safelight is very old I suspect. I will check the paper specs.

Michael when you say a safelight has a lifespan, what exactly has the lifespan? The bulb? The filter? The housing?

Thanks

Thanks!