Cigarette lighters
CPSC Recall #00-005 - October 13, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 00-005 |
| Recall Date | October 13, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 2.4 million |
| Manufactured In | China |
Product
Cigarette lighters
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shine International Trading Co. Inc., of Flushing, N.Y., is recalling about 2.4 million cigarette lighters. The lighters child-resistant mechanisms fail to meet the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting fire and burn hazards. Additionally, the lighters can leak fuel and remain on after consumers have used them, which also presents fire and burn hazards. CPSC and Shine International Trading Co. Inc. have received three incident reports with these lighters. One incident involved two lighters that continued to burn after the consumer put them down, one involved two lighters that spontaneously blew apart while unattended, and one involved a lighter that burst into flames resulting in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported. The lighters being recalled are non-refillable, oval-tube-shaped, with a transparent solid-colored (red, green, yellow, orange or purple) plastic body and a metal top. The lighters measure about 3.25 inches high and 1 inch wide. "SHINE" is imprinted into the metal top of the lighter. There is a warning label on the lighter. "SHINE" and "MADE IN CHINA" are written on the label. The lighters operate with a roll and press type of ignition mechanism to produce a flame. Small stores and souvenir shops nationwide sold these lighters from August 1998 through July 1999 for about $1. Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, call Shine International Trading Co., Inc. toll-free at (888) 491-6676 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. U.S. Customs alerted CPSC to this product hazard.
Hazard
The lighter’s child-resistant mechanisms fail to meet the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting fire and burn hazards. Additionally, the lighters can leak fuel and remain on after consumers have used them, which also presents fire and burn hazards.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Shine International Trading Co. Inc. have received three incident reports with these lighters. One incident involved two lighters that continued to burn after the consumer put them down, one involved two lighters that spontaneously blew apart while unattended, and one involved a lighter that burst into flames resulting in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
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.