Cigarette Lighter
CPSC Recall #97-007 - October 21, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-007 |
| Recall Date | October 21, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 500,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Convenience and retail stores in New York sold these cigarette lighters from June 1995 to April 1996 for less than $1 each. |
Product
Cigarette Lighter
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Paik International, of Flushing, N.Y., is recalling approximately 500,000 disposable butane cigarette lighters that do not comply with CPSC safety standards. The lighters do not have safety devices that prevent young children from igniting the lighters. CPSC and Paik International are not aware of any injuries involving these cigarette lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The non-refillable disposable cigarette lighters have red, yellow, green, blue, or purple plastic bodies. A paper label on the lighter reads, "CAUTION...MADE IN CHINA." Convenience and retail stores in New York sold these cigarette lighters from June 1995 to April 1996 for less than $1 each. Consumers should stop using the cigarette lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers should call Paik International at (212) 545-1667. CPSC's standard for child-resistant lighters, which went into effect on July 12, 1994, is intended to reduce the 150 deaths, 1,000 injuries, and more than 5,000 residential fires caused annually by children under the age of five playing with lighters. CPSC learned of this problem during joint surveillance with the U.S. Customs Service.
Hazard
The lighters do not have safety devices that prevent young children from igniting the lighters.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Paik International are not aware of any injuries involving these cigarette lighters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the cigarette 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.
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.