Children worldwide know Sparky the Fire Dog. He teaches them the hazards of fire. How ironic is it that Sparky is now available as a toy-like lighter?
"Sparky is our fire mascot," said Charlie Cook, assistant fire chief for Central Yavapai Fire District. "We have a national epidemic of these toy lighters and adults can't even tell the difference between the lighter and a toy."
Any kid would be attracted to these lighters. A roller skate has colorful lights on its wheels, cell phone lighters have a ring tone and flashlights have a light on one end and a lighter on the other. Cook collected about 20 different models including milk cartons, football helmets, credit cards and animal characters at a local indoor swap meet for about $2 each.
"These lighters are also available at most convenience stores," said Eric Kriwer, public information officer for Prescott Fire Department. "They are counter items that are easily accessible. Adults will buy these as gifts for kids not realizing that they are lighters."
Cook burned his fingers on a poker chips lighter because he had it upside down.
"You can't tell where the flame is coming out on some of these," he said.
In addition, the flame may be such a translucent green that it is almost invisible.
The Arizona Legislature is considering a ban on these lighters. Maine banned them in March 2008. As of Aug. 8, states that have enacted novelty lighter legislation include Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Tennessee and Vermont. Some cities and counties in Arkansas, California and Washington have a ban on such lighters. The European Union banned toy lighters in March 2007.
Several burn treatment hospitals have pledged to begin tracking burn injuries resulting from these lighters.
The National Volunteer Fire Council supports restricting novelty lighter sales, according to www.nvfc.org.
In 2007, NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg sent a letter to Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Nancy Nord requesting that the CPSC prohibit the importation, sale and distribution of novelty lighters in the United States.
On the federal level, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced the "Protect Children from Dangerous Lighters Act" (S. 3375) in the United States Senate on July 31. The bill bans the sale of novelty lighters. The Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will review its provisions before sending the bill to the entire Senate for a vote.
The Fire Pal program for K-5th grades has off-duty firefighters spend time throughout the school year teaching safety skills.
"We thought about bringing the lighters into school as part of this program, but decided against it," Cooke said. "The kids would want them. Adults already think they are cool. Now, our plan is to make the parents aware of this and educate them to keep the lighters away from their kids."
"I can't emphasize enough how dangerous these lighters are," Kriwer added. "They are responsible for many injuries, accidents and deaths. So far, we have not had a problem locally, but we don't want any problems in the future. There is no positive outcome for having a toy lighter in the hands of children."
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008
Article comment by:
Dumb and Dumber..so it goes on.
Ok pass a town ordinance or law against the sale of these. Sort of like laws enacted against bongs, crack pipes, and fiberglass daggers in other cities and towns. Then fine the seller and confiscate the offending articles as a public hazard. If you can't work it that way, stake out the seller and when he leaves the flea market I'm sure he will violate some traffic law or other. Be creative! Try and educate the "damaged" parents that these are really not a good thing in the hands of kids.
Good Luck...You'll need it!
Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Article comment by:
Gabriella Cooper
I object most vigorously to these lighters disguised as toys! This product, sold in stores in reach of children, is inexcusable! If the adults are unsure of its proper identification, can we expect kids to know the difference? This is, in deed, cause for great concern and I insist, for the sake of everyone, to have these lighters removed from all store shelves immediately! If I happen to see these lighters at the check out counter you can be sure I will not purchase my items there until these lighters are removed. To sell these lighters is irresponsible! Thank you Joanne Twaddell for bringing this matter to your readers attention. Gabriella Cooper
Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Article comment by:
The Lighter Side
If it looks like a duck and acts like a duck it must be a lighter. Store owners ought to be removing these devices immediately! If adults are having difficulty in recognizing these lighters as being lighters then have them removed. We don't need to wait for an act of Congress to safe guard children- or adults for that matter. Marianne Elizabeth Vangalio
