Abstract: A fluorescent lamp assembly and method of making the same for enclosing a lamp with a protective cover guard and attaching the cover guard to a base of the lamp. The cover guard is placed over and encloses the lamp and extends partially over the lamp base. A rigid metal or plastic ring is placed over the cover guard at a location where the guard extends over the lamp base and has a smaller diameter than the base. In this manner, the ring exerts a compressive force on the cover guard and base when assembled. The cover guard is subsequently sealed to the lamp base. Another variation of the invention uses a plastic or metal ring that is positioned over the lamp base. The ring has an annular cavity that accepts an end of the cover guard. The end of the cover guard is then secured in the annular cavity.