It’s a tiny cell phone. It’s a bright blue felt-tip marker. It’s a Christmas ornament.
No, it’s a lighter.
All of these colorful, appealing items are in fact tools that should be used by adults only. But novelty lighters come in forms likely to attract children, and appear to be toys meant to be played with.
They often depict cartoon characters, vehicles such as miniature cars or motorcycles, toys such as footballs or skateboards, animals, food, beverages, or devices such as cell phones or microphones. Ironically, some are shaped like fire safety items such as fire hydrants or extinguishers!
The European Commission has banned the marketing of novelty lighters starting in March 2007.
In the United States, novelty lighters are subject to the same requirements for child-resistance adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Act in 1994. But no lighter is child-proof. So why market or buy a lighter that can so easily tempt and confuse a child?
What can be done about novelty lighters? First, don’t buy them. Second, parents and all adults should remember that child-resistance standards are not a substitute for supervision. All lighters as well as matches should be kept well out of sight and reach of children. Third, fire service can help to document the problem by gathering information about specific types of lighters involved in fire incidents. Finally, we can all continue to teach children that lighters and matches are adult tools only, and to ‘tell a grown-up’ if they find one.

Photos courtesy of the Oregon State Fire Marshal Office