Novelty Lighters: Playing with Fire

Focus on Fire Safety

Novelty Lighters: Playing with Fire

Arson Awareness Week ad

Toylike and Novelty Lighters

Photos: Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office

Each year toylike or novelty lighters are responsible for numerous injuries and deaths across our nation. Children are attracted to these lighters because they look like toys. Many are made to look like animals, miniature cars, mobile phones, cameras, fishing lures, stacks of coins, markers and doll accessories.

What is a Novelty or Toylike Lighter?

Novelty lighters are defined as "lighters that have features that make them attractive to children under five," including "lighters with features entertaining to children, such as visual effects like flashing lights, or sound effects like musical notes."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 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. The standard also defined novelty lighters, although it did not prohibit the sale and distribution of lighters that look like toys.

Injuries and Worse ...

What can be done?

Local Jurisdictions with Ordinances:

Arkansas
Atkins, Clarksville, North Little Rock, Bryant, Conway, Dover, Hector, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Malvern, Maumelle, Mountain Home, Pine Bluff, Rogers, Russellville, Searcy, Sherwood, Van Buren, Pope County
California
El Cajon, Highland, National City, Redlands, Solana Beach, Vista
Washington
City of Yakima, Yakima County

Some local and State governments are taking action by banning the sale of toylike and novelty lighters and limiting their distribution. Maine was the first State to pass a ban on toylike and novelty lighters, passing the legislation on March 14, 2008. Tennessee also passed a ban in April 2008. Other States considering bans are Alabama, Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont. In addition to State bans and restrictions on the sale of toylike and novelty lighters, numerous local jurisdictions have passed ordinances.

Adobe Acrobat (PDF)/Other Help

Download

State and Local Legislation

U.S. Fire Administration Adds Novelty Lighter Code to NFIRS

European Union Takes Action

On May 11, 2006, the Commission adopted a Decision requiring Member States to ensure that, from March 11, 2007, cigarette lighters are child-resistant when placed on the EU market. The Decision also prohibits placing lighters on the market that resemble objects that are particularly attractive to children; so-called Novelty Lighters.

According to European Standard, a lighter shall not be novelty-like because the inherent risk of misuse by children is significantly higher. Novelty lighters are attractive to children. Taking into account children’s normal behavior, the risk of burn injuries is present during their use.

In short, this mean as of March 11, 2007, all lighters on the EU market must be safe, child-resistant and not novelty or toylike.

Excerpted from The European Commission Web site, section on Health and Consumer Protection.

Effective January 1, 2008, the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) began collecting information specifically about novelty and toylike lighters. This information is captured in the "Fire Module" under a new code for "Equipment Involved in Ignition."

NFIRS data indicate that lighters play a role nearly equal to matches in residential child-play fires, and some studies show that lighters tend to be the preferred ignition source. When children set fires in the home, the most common area of the fire origin is the bedroom, and the material ignited is often bedding, mattresses, or clothing.

Intentionally set fires are the major cause of dollar loss from fires and a leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. According to 2005 data, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates some 323,900 fires were intentionally set. In 2002, the NFPA estimated 13,900 child-playing structure fires were reported in the U.S., with associated losses of 210 civilian deaths, 1,250 civilian injuries, and $339 million in direct damage. Most child-playing home fires are started with lighters or matches. The median age of children who start reported fires by playing is 5 years old, compared to a median age of 4 years old for fatal victims, and a median age in the late teens for nonfatal injuries.

You Can Help!

If you are aware of a fire or burn injury involving a child or youth using a novelty lighter, the Oregon State Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Coordinator, Judy Okulitch, would like to know about it. She is asking fire departments and burn centers to collect data including age, gender of the child or youth, details of the fire incident and/or burn injury, amount of damage caused, and description of the lighter. A photograph of the lighter would be welcomed. Please complete an Incident Report Form and email or fax (503-373-1825) or mail to:

Judy Okulitch
State Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Coordinator
Office of State Fire Marshal
4760 Portland Road NE
Salem, OR 97305-1760

Publications – Download

Executive Fire Officer Program Applied Research Project

Related Topics

Links of Interest