Handy Home lighters

CPSC Recall #00-076 — March 8, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-076
Recall DateMarch 8, 2000
Remedy TypeNo Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 213,000
Manufactured InChina

Product

Handy Home lighters

Description

WASHINGTON D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Michael's Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas, is recalling about 213,000 all-purpose lighters. These lighters can leak butane when they are ignited, causing an excessive burst of flame from the tip or other areas of the lighter. This presents a risk of fire and burn injuries to consumers. Michael's Stores Inc. has received 14 reports of excessive flame, resulting in three reports of burns to consumers' hands. The recalled all-purpose lighters are refillable and contain butane. They are about 9 inches long and have a white plastic base; red, green or blue plastic handle with a black plastic trigger and on/off switch; and a metal barrel. A yellow label is affixed to the handle and reads in part, "DANGER: EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE...MADE IN CHINA." The lighters were packaged in a cardboard display sleeve under the brand name Handy Home. The brand name is not on the lighter.

Hazard

These lighters can leak butane when they are ignited, causing an excessive burst of flame from the tip or other areas of the lighter. This presents a risk of fire and burn injuries to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Michael's Stores Inc. has received 14 reports of excessive flame, resulting in three reports of burns to consumers' hands.

Remedy Instructions

No remedy available.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a No Remedy Available 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 (No Remedy Available) 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.