MPL, multi-purpose utility lighter
CPSC Recall #05-019 — October 19, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-019 |
| Recall Date | October 19, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 101,557 |
| Manufacturer | Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| The Zippo Multi-Purpose Lighters were sold at Lowes |
| Bed Bath & Beyond |
| select Yankee Candle stores |
| Barbeque Galore |
| Harrington and Hammacher Schlemmer Catalog |
| select Wal-Mart stores and other convenience |
| hardware and home |
| hearth and patio stores from October 2003 to September 1 |
| 2004. |
Product
MPL, multi-purpose utility lighter
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa. is voluntarily recalling 101,557 MPL, multi-purpose utility lighters. The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard through a secondary source of ignition.Name of product: MPL, multi-purpose utility lighterUnits: 101,557Manufacturer: Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pa.Hazard: The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard through a secondary source of ignition.Incidents/Injuries: There have been 27 reports that the butane fuel spills out of the nozzle when first used. There have been no reports that the product ignited or caused any injury. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.Description: The Zippo MPL (Multi-Purpose Lighter) uses refillable butane fuel, is child resistant, and measures 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. The utility lighter is finished in black metal or silver metal with a chrome nozzle. The black unit is packaged in a blister pack with black and red graphics and the silver unit is in a silver gift box. Only utility lighters with these date codes are recalled: G03, H03, I03, ZH03. The date code is on the black adjuster knob on the bottom of the lighter.Sold at: The Zippo Multi-Purpose Lighters were sold at Lowes, Bed Bath & Beyond, select Yankee Candle stores, Barbeque Galore, Harrington and Hammacher Schlemmer Catalog, select Wal-Mart stores and other convenience, hardware and home, hearth and patio stores from October 2003 to September 1, 2004.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjuster knob from the bottom of the lighter.Consumer Contact: Consumers should call Zippo toll-free at (800) 320-7490 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to get the address to which the black adjuster knob must be sent.Return Procedures: Consumers who own the Zippo MPL (Multi-Purpose Lighter) with date codes G03, H03, I03, ZH03 should immediately stop using this product and remove the black adjuster knob with the date code. Pull the knob straight downward with your fingers or use pliers to remove the knob. Keep the knob to be returned to Zippo Manufacturing Company. Consumers should dispose of the lighter in a manner that is in compliance with state or local requirements. Do not incinerate or puncture the lighter. Do not return this lighter to the store where purchased or to Zippo.
Hazard
The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard through a secondary source of ignition.
Incidents & Injuries
There have been 27 reports that the butane fuel spills out of the nozzle when first used. There have been no reports that the product ignited or caused any injury. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Free replacement multi-purpose lighter when consumer sends to the company the black adjuster knob from the bottom of the lighter.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.