Butler Slim Torch lighters
CPSC Recall #02-547 — June 24, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-547 |
| Recall Date | June 24, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 3,000 |
| Manufactured In | Germany |
Where It Was Sold
| The Hammacher Schlemmer® catalog sold the lighters nationwide between August 2001 and February 2002 for $39.95. |
Product
Butler Slim Torch lighters
Description
PRODUCT: Butler's Slim Torch - Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co., Inc. of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,000 Butler Slim Torches. The recalled lighters have a brushed chrome finish and a black rubber slide lever that is moved to ignite the lighter. They are seven inches long and "Rowenta" is embossed on the rubber slide lever. The lighters come packaged in a black plastic case with "Rowenta" stamped on the bottom of the case. The Hammacher Schlemmer® catalog sold the lighters nationwide between August 2001 and February 2002 for $39.95. The lighters were manufactured in Germany.PROBLEM: The lighters were imported into this country without first being tested to ensure they comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's requirements that the lighters be child-resistant. Child- resistant requirements were adopted to reduce the risk of fires and deaths caused by children playing with multi-purpose lighters.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately. Consumers should dispose of the lighter in a manner that is in compliance with any state or local requirements. The lighter should not be incinerated or punctured. Consumers can obtain a refund by mailing the black plastic case of the lighter and the use instructions that were included in the case to Hammacher Schlemmer® along with a signed statement confirming the lighter has been disposed of. Consumers can contact Hammacher Schlemmer® at (800) 233-4800 seven days a week between 8:00 a.m. and midnight ET or send e-mail to [email protected] to receive a return authorization number and shipping instructions. Consumers will receive their choice of a $50 Hammacher Schlemmer® gift certificate or a refund of the $39.95 purchase price for each lighter purchased. Hammacher Schlemmer mailed notification of this recall to all customers.
Hazard
The lighters were imported into this country without first being tested to ensure they comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's requirements that the lighters be child-resistant. Child- resistant requirements were adopted to reduce the risk of fires and deaths caused by children playing with multi-purpose lighters.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately. Consumers should dispose of the lighter in a manner that is in compliance with any state or local requirements. Consumers can obtain a refund by mailing the black plastic case of the lighter and the use instructions that were included in the case to Hammacher Schlemmer® along with a signed statement confirming the lighter has been disposed of. Consumers will receive their choice of a $50 Hammacher Schlemmer® gift certificate or a refund of the $39.95 purchase price for each lighter purchased.
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.