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The "Hotery Pocke Torch" and "Fire Plug" Pocket Torch

CPSC Recall #01-139a — May 1, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-139a
Recall DateMay 1, 2001
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 5,300

Product

The "Hotery Pocke Torch" and "Fire Plug" Pocket Torch

Description

PRODUCT: Novelty Cigarette Lighters - Tools Exchange Inc., of Lynwood, Calif., is recalling about 5,300 novelty cigarette lighters. The lighters have two brand names:The "Hotery Pocke Torch" comes in various colors, including red and green, and is shaped like a fire extinguisher. It is a butane-fueled, torch-style lighter with a black plastic cap that fits over the flame port and ignition switch. "HOTERY POCKE TORCH" is written on one side of the lighter, "Made in Taiwan" is written on a sticker on the other side, and "PT-16" is printed on the cap. The cap is attached to the lighter's body by a linked metal chain. These lighters were sold nationwide from January 2000 through December 2000 for about $7.The "Pocket Torch" comes in red and dark gray, and is shaped like a fire hydrant. It is a butane-fueled, torch-style lighter with a black cap that fits over the flame port and ignition switch. The words "Fire Plug" appear in red inside of a black disk on both sides of the lighter. The cap is attached to the lighter's body by a linked metal chain. These lighters were sold nationwide from January 1999 to October 2000 for about $7.PROBLEM: The lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms, as required by federal law. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting fire and burn hazards.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call Tools Exchange collect at (310) 604-4444 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms, as required by federal law. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting fire and burn hazards.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a 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.

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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.

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