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Novelty (Toylike) Lighters
Overview
Incident Report Form
States Passing Legislation
International Bans
City or County Ordinances Banning Lighters
Other states Considering Similar Bans
In the News
Hot Issues Newsletters
Resources
Overview
The juvenile firesetter intervention program has a long history of being concerned about the dangers of lighters - including novelty lighters - in the hands of young children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission adopted a safety standard in 1994, requiring disposable cigarette lighters be manufactured to child resistant standards. This safety standard has been highly effective in reducing child fatalities nationwide. Although the standard also defined novelty lighters, it did not prohibit the sale and distribution of lighters that look like toys. Many lighters today look like animals, miniature cars, musical instruments and game pieces. Other lighters look like adult tools in miniature - cell phones, hammers, paint brushes, and felt-tip markers. These lighters are dangerous in the hands of juveniles or adults unable to distinguish the difference between a toy and a lighter. Prohibiting the sale of these lighters would protect our children from lighters that encourage their curiosity, inviting unintentional misuse and placing them and their families at risk for burn injury, death and property loss.
 
Taking a position on prohibiting sale of toylike lighters in Oregon
Incident Report Form
If you are aware of a fire or burn injury involving a child or youth using a novelty lighter, we need your help. We are asking fire department and burn centers, both in Oregon and nationwide, to collect this data including age and gender of the child or youth, details about the fire incident and/or burn injury, amount of damage caused and a discription of the lighter. A photograph of the lighter would be welcomed. Please complete a Incident Report Form and email to judy.okulitch@state.or.us, fax 503-373-1825 or mail to
 
Judy Okulitch, State Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Coordinator
Office of State Fire Marshal
4760 Portland Rd NE
Salem, OR  97305-1760

States Passing Legislation
Maine
Tennessee

International Bans
European Union

City or County Ordinances Banning Lighters
Arkansas
Atkins
Clarksville
North Little Rock
Bryant
Conway
Dover
Heber Springs
Hector
Jacksonville
Jonesboro
Little Rock
Malvern
Maumelle
Mountain Home
Pine Bluff
Rogers
Russellville
Searcy
Sherwood
Van Buren
 
California
Cathedral City
Chula Vista
El Cajon
Encinitas
Highland
La Mesa
National City
Redlands
San Diego City
Solana Beach
Vista
 
Georgia
Dawsonville
 
Mississippi
Meridian
 
Washington
City of Yakima
Yakima County 

Other states Considering Similar Bans
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Illinois
Iowa
Michigan
Missouri
New York
Ohio
Vermont
Virginia
 
National Volunteer Fire Council link for more information on states taking legislative action on the toylike lighter issue http://www.nvfc.org/Novelty_Lighter_Legislation
 
NASFM Model State Bill - Sale of Novelty Lighters http://www.firemarshals.org/data/File/nasfmmodelstatebillnoveltylightersJuly08.pdf
 

In the News
Public Service Announcements
KGW Northwest News Channel 8 Oregon Legislators consider Toylike Lighter ban June 2008
 
KGW Northwest News Channel 8 Oregon news story on Toylike Lighters May 2008 
 
Holiday Toylike Lighter Announcement
If you do not have a video player available on your system, we have provided this cross platform link to a downloadable version for viewing the Office of State Fire Marshal Video Announcements. Real Player
TOYLIKE LIGHTERS

Toylike Lighter Television Public Service Announcement

News Stories From Around The Country
No Novelty Lighters
Idea Bank
Firehouse.com
A Mother's Response -- ABC Local News Article

Hot Issues Newsletters
A Call to Action  -- Summer 2006
 
Toylike Lighter Campaign -- Summer 2007
 
Toylike Lighter Campaign -- Winter 2007
 
Toylike Lighter Campaign -- Winter 2008
 
Toylike Lighter Campaign -- Summer 2008

Resources
Toylike Lighter Gallery
 
Toylike Lighter Poster
This poster is best printed on 11 X 17 paper.
 
Mobile Billboard Lending Application
The Office of State Fire Marshal has a mobile billboard of novelty (toylike) lighters to lend out to fire departments and districts.
 
 
 
 
For more information, contact Judy Okulitch at judy.okulitch@state.or.us  or 503 373-1540 extension 230 in the Community Education Services Unit.
Office of State Fire Marshal
4760 Portland Road NE
Salem, OR  97305
503-373-1540

 
Page updated: August 28, 2008

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