Novelty lighters: lamp and flying saucer

CPSC Recall #99-095 — April 12, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-095
Recall DateApril 12, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 20,000

Where It Was Sold

Small retail stores and souvenir shops nationwide sold these lighters from March 1997 through February 1999 for about $10.

Product

Novelty lighters: lamp and flying saucer

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kikkerland Designs Inc., of New York, N.Y., is recalling about 20,000 novelty lighters. The lighters do not have any child-resistant mechanisms, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting a fire hazard. CPSC and Kikkerland Designs Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. The novelty lighters being recalled resemble lamps and flying saucers. The flying saucer lighter, made of silver metal and orange plastic, measures about 3.25 inches in diameter and 1.75 inches high. "UFO" is imprinted in the ignition switch and flashing lights illuminate once the switch is activated. The lamp lighter, with a blue shade, yellow pole and black base, is made of metal and measures about 6.75 inches high. It has no labeling and uses a pull chain as the ignition switch. The flame comes out of the top of the lamp shade. Small retail stores and souvenir shops nationwide sold these lighters from March 1997 through February 1999 for about $10. Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, call Kikkerland Designs Inc. at (800) 869-1105 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The lighters do not have any child-resistant mechanisms, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Kikkerland Designs Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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 (Refund) 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.