The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·02177·Announced 2002-06-12

CPSC Recalls Novelty Cigarette Lighters Lacking Child-Resistant Mechanisms

Specialty Sales Co. Inc. is recalling about 6,000 novelty cigarette lighters sold in northern California because they lack required child-resistant mechanisms, posing fire and burn hazards.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (fire and burn hazards) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the 'High' severity criteria in the rubric.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Specialty Sales Co. Inc. are recalling about 6,000 novelty cigarette lighters. The recall involves two types of lighters: refillable liquid-fueled lighters with various decals (including a frog with a banjo, a man in the moon, Tweety Bird, a unicorn, and a skull and crossbones) and refillable gas-fueled piezo-electric lighters with a dolphin molded on the side. The liquid-fueled lighters have "Made in China" written on a label, while the gas-fueled lighters have no writing.

The lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms, as required by federal law. Young children could ignite the lighters, posing fire and burn hazards. CPSC and Specialty Sales Co. Inc. have not received any reports of injuries or incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

Convenience and liquor stores and gas station food markets in northern California sold these lighters from March 1999 through April 2002 for about $4. Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call Specialty Sales Co. Inc. collect at (510) 581-3869 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

The recalled product

Product
Novelty cigarette lighters
Manufacturer
Specialty Sales Co. Inc., of Castro Valley, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Lighters
Hazard
Affected units
6,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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