Novelty "Tractor Trailer" Cigarette Lighters Recalled

PRODUCT: About 200,000 disposable "tractor trailer" novelty cigarette lighters imported by GOLDEN APPLE XXCO. The lighters sold at convenience stores nationwide from December 1993 through March 1994. The lighters are tractor trailer-shaped with five pairs of tiny wheels on one edge. One side has one of three tractor trailer pictures: "American Spirit" shows a red tractor trailer together with the head of an eagle; "Truck Country" shows a tractor trailer together with a flag of the United States; and "Midnight Rider" shows a tractor trailer in front of a full moon. The flue of the lighter is engraved with an apple figure and the word "apple." A caution sticker on the back states "Made in Philippines."

PROBLEM: The tractor trailer-shaped lighters are very attractive to children who could easily mistake them for toys. If a child plays with the lighter, a fire and/or serious burn injuries may result.

WHAT TO DO: Put the lighters out of reach of children. Then return the lighters to the store where purchased for a free gift.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), GOLDEN APPLE XXCO., Industry, CA, is voluntarily recalling novelty cigarette lighters in the shape of tractor trailer trucks. The lighters, complete with five pairs of tiny wheels on one edge and a picture of a tractor trailer on the side are very attractive to children and may invite play. If a child plays with the lighter, a fire and/or serious burn injuries may result.

There are three designs of the tractor trailer-shaped lighter, each printed with a different tractor trailer and the words "American Spirit," "Truck Country," or "Midnight Rider." "American Spirit" shows a red tractor trailer truck together with the head of an eagle, "Truck Country" shows an American flag together with a tractor trailer, and "Midnight Rider" shows a tractor trailer in front of a full moon. The flue of the lighter is engraved with an apple figure and the word "apple." A caution sticker on the back of the lighter states "Made in Philippines."

The imported tractor trailer-shaped cigarette lighters sold for about $1.50 in convenience stores nationwide from December 1993 through March 1994. Approximately 200,000 products were sold to consumers.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection referred a complaint to the Commission from the Deputy Fire Marshal of Plymouth, CT.

Consumers should first be sure the lighters are in a secure place -- out of reach from children. Then return the lighters to the store where purchased for a free gift.

CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.