CPSC Warns of Potential High-Flame
Problems with Metal-Sleeved Disposable
Lighters Manufactured By Feudor
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Universal Match Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri
announced today the recall of certain metal-sleeved disposable
lighters manufactured by Feudor. The lighters in question were sold
in a special three-pack. The package, labeled "Special Offer,"
contained a lighter in a decorative, removable metal sleeve (case)
with a plain lighter on each side of the one in the decorative
sleeve. The metal wind screen of each lighter is engraved with the
"Feudor" name. Tests confirm that only the middle lighter originally
in the decorative metal sleeve could present a potential hazard.
Universal Match Corporation is the sole importer of Feudor
disposable lighters to this country. Testing by the manufacturer in
France has shown that the lighters in question contain a
manufacturing flaw that could, over time, allow some of them to
develop excessively high flames. While there is a potential for
serious burn injury due to unusually high flame, the Commission is
aware at this time only of a few minor facial burns and singeing of
the hair resulting from these Feudor lighters.
All of these lighters, approximately 600,000 were manufactured
prior to 1985 and represent a small portion of the total number of
Feudor lighters sold in this country. During the past 18 months
these lighters have been sold by K mart, Snyder's Drugs, Yellow Front
Stores, Lucky Stores, LeVerdiere's, as well as other retail chain
stores, drug stores, supermarket chains, and convenience stores
nationwide. The firm believes that many of the lighters are no
longer in use.
Consumers are asked to immediately return the metal-sleeved
lighter to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund
of the purchase price.
If consumers have any questions regarding the recall or in
identifying the lighters in question, please call Universal Match
Corporation toll-free, l-800-325-8165 or the CPSC toll-free hotline
number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing
impaired is 800-638-8270.