WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve seems likely to keep interest rates at record lows for several more months after news today consumer prices excluding food and energy fell in January.

It was the first time such prices have fallen in any month since 1982.

The benign report on consumer inflation sent a positive signal to investors and borrowers. It suggested short-term rates can remain low to strengthen the economic recovery without triggering inflation.

Some have worried a Fed rate increase affecting consumers and businesses might be imminent, especially after it just raised the rate banks pay for emergency loans.

Overall consumer prices edged up 0.2 percent in January, the Labor Department said. But excluding volatile food and energy, prices fell 0.1 percent. That drop, the first monthly decline since December 1982, reflected falling prices for housing, new cars and airline fares.