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Bic regular-size fixed flame lighters

CPSC Recall #88-081 - October 6, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-081
Recall DateOctober 6, 1988
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 6.5 million

Product

Bic regular-size fixed flame lighters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Bic Corporation announced that Bic is voluntarily recalling its new regular size fixed flame lighters because, according to estimates of the firm, the flame on approximately 0.04% of these lighters may not extinguish. There have been no reported accidents or complaints about the lighters. Approximately 6.5 million of these new regular size fixed flame lighters have been distributed since July 21, 1988, when Bic began to distribute this new lighter. The majority of these lighters are still in warehouses or in the Bic distribution chain. Bic has already made the manufacturing changes necessary to solve the potential problem with the regular size fixed flame lighter. The regular size Bic fixed flame lighter is packaged in either a plastic pouch containing two lighters or in an open plastic tray. The plastic pouch states "with fixed flame." Consumers can identify the lighter because it does not contain a wheel, which permits the user to adjust the flame height. Bic Mini fixed flame and Bic regular size adjustable lighters, which represent 98% of the Bic lighters on the market, are not affected by this recall. Consumers should immediately stop using the regular size fixed flame Bic lighter and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Hazard

According to estimates of the firm, the flame on approximately 0.04% of these lighters may not extinguish.

Incidents & Injuries

There have been no reported accidents or complaints about the lighters.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the regular size fixed flame Bic lighter and return it 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.

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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.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.

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