The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·99148·Announced 1999-07-29

EKCO Recalls Utility Lighters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

EKCO Housewares is recalling 333,000 utility lighters that can ignite in the trigger area, posing a risk of fire and burns.

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/burn) where injury has been reported (minor burns), but no serious injuries or deaths are noted, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products with reported but non-severe injury.

Plain-English summary

EKCO Housewares Inc. is recalling approximately 333,000 utility lighters in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recalled lighters are refillable, contain butane, and are about 9 inches long. They feature a white plastic base, a red plastic handle with a black plastic trigger and on/off switch, and a metal barrel imprinted with "GAS TORCH." A yellow label on the handle indicates the contents are extremely flammable and made in China. The lighters were packaged in cardboard display sleeves under the EKCO brand name, with item numbers 58046 or 15387 listed on the package.

The recall is due to a risk of fire and burn hazards. The lighters can ignite in the trigger area when the trigger is pulled. EKCO Housewares received four reports of the lighters flaring up during use, which caused minor burns to consumers' hands and arms.

These lighters were sold nationwide in mass merchandise, hardware, and grocery stores from January 1997 through June 1999 for about $3. Consumers should stop using the recalled lighters immediately. They can return the lighters to the store where purchased for a refund or mail the package card or white plastic base to EKCO Housewares for a refund plus postage. Consumers should throw the body of the lighter in the trash, ensuring it is not incinerated or punctured.

The recalled product

Product
Ekco utility gas torch utility lighters
Manufacturer
EKCO Housewares
Category
Consumer Product — Lighters
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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