Disposable cigarette lighters

CPSC Recall #02-195 — July 1, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-195
Recall DateJuly 1, 2002
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 1,800
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Retailers and distributors nationwide sold these lighters between December 2000 and May 2001 for about $5.

Product

Disposable cigarette lighters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), L.A. Lighter Inc., of Azusa, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,800 disposable cigarette lighters. The lighters may have child-resistant mechanisms that do not meet federal safety standards. Young children may be able to operate these lighters, which could pose a fire hazard.L.A. Lighter has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The recalled lighters are made of metal, come in different colors, and have a top that resembles a pencil across a protractor and triangle. To open the port and ignite the flame, consumers press on the pencil. The lighters, which are about three inches high, 7/8 inches wide and 1/4 inch deep, have a ruler along the side. A label on the lighter has the UPC code 7 63052 20108 5 and the words, "MADE IN CHINA" and "SLIDE PUSH."Retailers and distributors nationwide sold these lighters between December 2000 and May 2001 for about $5.Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and contact L.A. Lighter at (800) 499-4708 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday to receive a full refund.

Hazard

The lighters may have child-resistant mechanisms that do not meet federal safety standards. Young children may be able to operate these lighters, which could pose a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

L.A. Lighter has not received any reports of incidents.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and contact L.A. Lighter at (800) 499-4708 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday to receive 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.