Novelty Lighters Recalled by Prometheus International
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2000
Release # 00-062
Company Phone Number: (800) 229-5233 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC, Prometheus International Inc. Announce Recall of Novelty Lighters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Prometheus International Inc., of Bell, Calif., is
recalling about 4,000 novelty lighters. The lighters do not have any
child-resistant mechanisms, as required by the Consumer Product Safety
Act. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting a fire hazard.
These lighters were discovered by CPSC by monitoring Internet web
sites as part of Operation Safe Online Shopping (SOS). Operation SOS,
launched in December 1999, is a CPSC initiative that monitors web sites
for recalled, illegal and potentially hazardous consumer products being
sold in cyberspace.
CPSC and Prometheus International Inc. are not aware of any
incidents or injuries involving these lighters. This recall is being
conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
The Intruder model lighter looks like a miniature propane or scuba
tank, with a rectangular sleeve on the side into which the bottom part
of the black activation/ignition button fits. The top two-thirds of the
cylindrical tank body and the sleeve are black, and the tank is clear
and transparent. A label on one side of the sleeve reads "Prometheus."
A cover hides the flame port.
The Jupiter model lighter has a metal body with a black top and
bottom. The lighter has a distinctive gun-like shape. It has a hinged
cover for the flame port. The cover opens when the ignition switch is
pressed or the hinged cover is pulled back, and a high-intensity torch
flame is produced. On the end opposite the flame port, a black screw-on
cover hides the refill port. The brand name "Prometheus" is engraved
into the lower area of one side of the lighter body.
Tobacco stores nationwide sold these lighters from March 1997
through February 1999 from $50 to $75. The company advertised these
lighters on their web site at www.prometheuskkp.com.
Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return
them to the store where purchased for a free replacement lighter with a
child-resistant mechanism. For more information, call Prometheus at
(800) 229-5233 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
