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SOS FIRES: Youth Intervention Programs |
CPSC Finds Multi-Purpose Lighters Dangerous to Kids
In a press release, CPSC announces plans to issue safety standards for Multi-Purpose (barbecue style) lighters.
In June of 1999, a 10-year old Bellingham, Washington youth, playing with a barbecue lighter, ignited a creek full of gasoline and killed himself, a friend, and another youth nearby. On July 6, 1999, a three and six year old playing with a barbecue lighter ignited their Portland, Oregon home and took the life of their six month old sibling.
These two incidents, and many others have prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission to announce a new standard for Multi-Purpose, butane filled lighters commonly referred to as utility lighters, grille lighters, fireplace lighters, micro-torches, and/or gas matches.
The December 10th press release reads as follows:
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ken Giles
December 10, 1999
(301)
504-0580 Ext. 1184
Release # 00-029
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today voted unanimously (3 to 0) to issue a federal safety standard for multi-purpose lighters. The new standard will require multi-purpose lighters to be child-resistant. The new standard is intended to reduce the risk of injury and death associated with fires started by children under age 5 playing with multi-purpose lighters.
Multi-purpose lighters are generally butane-filled lighters commonly used to light charcoal and gas grills, pilot lights, camping stoves, candles and similar objects. They also are referred to as utility lighters, grill lighters, fireplace lighters, micro-torches or gas matches.
Since 1988, CPSC has identified 237 fires reportedly started by children under age 5 playing with multi-purpose lighters. These fires resulted in 45 deaths, including 28 deaths of children under 5 years old, and 103 injuries. Since these are only the numbers of incidents reported to CPSC, they are considered to be a conservative indication of the true extent of the problem.
"I believe today's decision by the Commission is a bold and responsible step in fulfilling our mission to protect American consumers, particularly children, from death and injury resulting from consumer products," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown.
To meet the requirements of the new federal standard, a multi-purpose lighter must have the same level of child-resistance as required in the Safety Standard for Cigarette Lighters. The child-resistant mechanism must operate safely, function for the expected life of the lighter, and not be easy to deactivate. The child-resistant mechanism also must automatically reset after use.
To give firms sufficient time to design, test and produce child-resistant, multi-purpose lighters, the new standard takes effect one year after its publication in the Federal Register. CPSC is aware of at least two child-resistant, multi-purpose lighters already on the market, and a number of other such lighters are in the final stages of development and testing.
While children setting fires is sometimes viewed as being a harmless activity that all kids do, it can clearly be a deadly endeavor. Yet matches and lighters are frequently left within reach of young children, particularly during the summer when things like barbecues, campfires, and fireworks become more common household events.
Kids often imitate the actions of the adults around them. Fire is no different. Adults must be vigilant with the message they give children about fire, whether through words or actions.
Children have a natural curiosity about fire, which turns deadly about 400 times each year in the United States. Parents sometimes fail to intervene quickly enough. The presumption is often made that "kids will be kids," or "…it’s just a phase," or even "it’s okay, I did that when I was young." These assumptions doom America’s children to cause about $280 million in property loss, and almost 3,000 injuries each year (according to the National Fire Protection Association). But virtually every incident is preventable. And the people best situated to prevent firesetting behavior are parents.
Solutions to the child fireplay problem include the following: