Feudor Metal-Sleeved Disposable Lighters
CPSC Recall #87-064 - October 22, 1987
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 87-064 |
| Recall Date | October 22, 1987 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 600,000 |
| Importer | Universal Match Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri |
Product
Feudor Metal-Sleeved Disposable Lighters
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Universal Match Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri announced today the recall of certain metal-sleeved disposable lighters manufactured by Feudor. The lighters in question were sold in a special three-pack. The package, labeled "Special Offer," contained a lighter in a decorative, removable metal sleeve (case) with a plain lighter on each side of the one in the decorative sleeve. The metal wind screen of each lighter is engraved with the "Feudor" name. Tests confirm that only the middle lighter originally in the decorative metal sleeve could present a potential hazard.Universal Match Corporation is the sole importer of Feudor disposable lighters to this country. Testing by the manufacturer in France has shown that the lighters in question contain a manufacturing flaw that could, over time, allow some of them to develop excessively high flames. While there is a potential for serious burn injury due to unusually high flame, the Commission is aware at this time only of a few minor facial burns and singeing of the hair resulting from these Feudor lighters.All of these lighters, approximately 600,000 were manufactured prior to 1985 and represent a small portion of the total number of Feudor lighters sold in this country. During the past 18 months these lighters have been sold by K mart, Snyder's Drugs, Yellow Front Stores, Lucky Stores, LaVerdiere's, as well as other retail chain stores, drug stores, supermarket chains, and convenience stores nationwide. The firm believes that many of the lighters are no longer in use.Consumers are asked to immediately return the metal-sleeved lighter to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund of the purchase price.If consumers have any questions regarding the recall or in identifying the lighters in question, please call Universal Match Corporation toll-free, 1-800-325-8165 or the CPSC toll-free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.
Hazard
The lighters in question contain a manufacturing flaw that could, over time, allow some of them to develop excessively high flames, presenting a potential hazard for serious burn injury.
Incidents & Injuries
While there is a potential for serious burn injury due to unusually high flame, the Commission is aware at this time only of a few minor facial burns and singeing of the hair resulting from these Feudor lighters.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are asked to immediately return the metal-sleeved lighter to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund of the purchase price.
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.