Lighters Shaped as Toys Increase Fire Risks With Children

February 2008

Lighters shaped as toys, animated characters, and other child-friendly designs have sparked concern over whether or not they should be sold. Those that oppose the distribution of these lighters feel their designs invite children to play with them not knowing the actual dangers that can result.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), children under the age of 5 cause more than 5,000 residential fires each year. The National Fire Protection Agency reported that 210 deaths and 13,000 structure fires were caused by children in 2002, the most recent year they have data. Neither agency has any reports or statistics on how many of these fires were started with novelty lighters. It is known that an Arkansas fire in September killed two toddlers after the children started a fire while playing with a lighter shaped as a motorcycle.

Some states have started to take action against the sale of novelty lighters.