The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·03081·Announced 2003-02-13

Young's J.K. Inc. Recalls Dolphin-Shaped Cigarette Lighters Due to Fire Hazards

Young's J.K. Inc. is recalling about 500 dolphin-shaped cigarette lighters sold in Oregon and Southwest Washington because they lack required child-resistant mechanisms, posing fire and burn risks.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly reports a death resulting from the use of the recalled product, which mandates a Critical severity score of 5 according to the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Young's J.K. Inc. of Portland, Oregon, is recalling approximately 500 refillable, dolphin-shaped cigarette lighters. The lighters are butane gas-fueled, made of metal, and come in three models: one featuring a dolphin with a large ball labeled "1988.8 Young's Wholes 14.9," one featuring a single dolphin labeled "00005011 $14.00 EA," and one featuring two dolphins and a ball with no label.

The recall is being conducted because the lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms as required by federal law. This defect allows young children to ignite the lighters, presenting fire and burn hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received one report of a 2-year-old using one of these lighters to ignite an upholstered chair. This incident resulted in the death of the child's 6-year-old brother and permanent brain damage to the 2-year-old.

The lighters were sold at gas stations, smoke shops, grocery, gift, and liquor stores in Oregon and Southwest Washington from 1996 through October 2001 for between $8 and $20. Consumers should stop using the lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers can contact Young's J.K. collect at (503) 998-9801 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

The recalled product

Product
Dolphin-shaped cigarette lighters
Manufacturer
Young's J.K. Inc., of Portland, Ore.
Category
Consumer Product — Lighters
Hazard
Affected units
500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

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