"City-Lites" and "Liberty-Lites" disposable cigarette lighters

CPSC Recall #96-024 - November 16, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-024
Recall DateNovember 16, 1995
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 50,000

Where It Was Sold

They were distributed nationwide through convenience stores and service stations.

Product

"City-Lites" and "Liberty-Lites" disposable cigarette lighters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, New York Lighter Co. Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., is recalling about 50,000 "City-Lites" and "Liberty-Lites" disposable cigarette lighters. The lighters fail to extinguish after use and, in the case of "Liberty-Lites," can flare-up during use. CPSC and New York Lighter are aware of 10 incidents associated with these lighters including one car fire and four burn injuries. The lighters, imported before the July 12, 1994, child-proof mandatory standard became effective, do not have the required child-resistant feature of lighters distributed after that date. They were distributed nationwide through convenience stores and service stations. The lighters were manufactured in various colors and have a metal flame hood. City-Lites lighters have the word "City Lites" or "C-LITES" engraved on the metal flame hood, and Liberty Lites lighters have the word "Liberty-LITES" engraved on the metal hood. The lighters sold in packages of three for about $2. Consumers who own City Lights or Liberty Lights lighters should call (800) 626-4732 to receive a postage-paid mailer for returning the lighters. The company will send a novelty product with a retail value of approximately $5 to cover any inconvenience on the part of consumers. Child-resistant "City-Lites" lighters and child-proof "Liberty-Lites" lighters are not subject to this recall.

Hazard

The lighters fail to extinguish after use and, in the case of "Liberty-Lites," can flare-up during use.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and New York Lighter are aware of 10 incidents associated with these lighters including one car fire and four burn injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who own City Lights or Liberty Lights lighters should call (800) 626-4732 to receive a postage-paid mailer for returning the lighters. The company will send a novelty product with a retail value of approximately $5 to cover any inconvenience on the part of consumers.

What Should You Do?

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