Lighters recalled in fire prevention initiative

In this story: Prevention 'number one goal' Reminder of earlier recalls RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Julie Vallese
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- About 13 million disposable lighters were recalled Tuesday due to child-resistant mechanisms that fail or are ineffective.

RESOURCES See the full list of recalled products     MORE For help identifying recalled products, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1- 800-638-2772

In one case, a four-year-old girl started a fire in her house with one of the lighters and died when flames engulfed the home as she hid in a closet.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking consumers to throw the lighters away.

The lighters, which carry brand names such as "Boda-Bing", "Gil," "Happy" or "Wax" stamped on the tops, were sold from January 1998 through February 2001.

The lighter recall will headline the CPSC's news conference Tuesday as part of a nationwide fire prevention campaign.

Prevention 'number one goal'

CPSC chairman Ann Brown is asking consumers to check their attics, basements and drawers for products -- such as old disposable lighters, frayed extension cords, and other previously recalled products -- that pose fire hazards.

"We can get dangerous products off store shelves, but the real challenge is to get them out of families' homes," Brown said.

National and state health and safety organizations and the Congressional Fire Caucus are involved and will assist the commission in getting the word out about the recalled products.

"Fire prevention is the number one goal for the nation's firefighters, and hundreds of fire departments nationwide are helping CPSC with today's recall roundup by serving as collection sites for hazardous products," said Harold Schaitberger, the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

The roundup highlights about seven different products that pose fire hazards. All the products have already been recalled.

All cigarette lighters without child-resistant mechanisms should be thrown away. Over the past two years, the agency has recalled six different lighters for failing to meet a 1994 standard requiring lighters be difficult for children under 5 years old to operate.

The agency says the standard has helped reduce fire deaths of children playing with lighters by 43 percent since 1994.

Frayed extension cords, defective power strips and surge protectors are blamed each year for approximately 5,700 fires and 40 deaths. Extension cords with undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components or improper grounding can cause fire, shock and electrocution.

Consumers should regularly check the condition of their electrical equipment and discard and replace any worn or faulty equipment.

Reminder of earlier recalls

In April 1998, the CPSC recalled more than 230,000 Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima Toasters. The toasters could set food on fire. The toaster had a door that could automatically open and, if food was on fire, it could set kitchen cabinets and their contents on fire.

There were more than 1,000 fire complaints, and 656 involved property damage. Consumers can contact Black & Decker for a free replacement oven.

Children's decorative lamps sold by K-Mart under the name "Little Ones" from January 1993 through March 2000 are also on the CPSC roundup list. The lamps can short circuit and cause fire. There were eight fires reported because of the lamps, two with major property damage. The recall of 280,000 lamps was announced in April of last year. Lamps can be returned to any K-Mart for a full refund.

One of the most dangerous products that could still be in consumers' homes are halogen floor lamps made before 1997. The lamps are blamed for 436 fires and 35 deaths since 1992. The lamp bulb generates intense heat and could catch curtains and other flammable material on fire.

Halogen lamps need a wire or glass guard over the bulb to help reduce the risk of fires. Consumers can send a postcard to Catalina Lighting Consumer Services 18191 NW 68th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33015 for a free bulb guard.

A faulty slide switch that can melt or ignite prompted the recall of 3.1 million GE and Hotpoint dishwashers in October 1999. To fix the problem, GE is willing to rewire the dishwashers for free. Consumers can set up an appointment by calling 800-599-2929.

The commission has recalled other products because of fire hazards. They include three children's battery powered vehicles, in which the batteries can overheat. They have been blamed for at least 11 burns and 155 house fires. Replacement batteries can be obtained from the company manufacturers.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission

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