CPSC And New York Lighter Announce Cigarette Lighter Recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), New York Lighter Co. Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., is recalling about 50,000 "City-Lites" and "Liberty-Lites" disposable cigarette lighters. The lighters fail to extinguish after use and, in the case of "Liberty-Lites," can flare-up during use. CPSC and New York Lighter are aware of 10 incidents associated with these lighters including one car fire and four burn injuries.

The lighters, imported before the July 12, 1994, child-proof mandatory standard became effective, do not have the required child-resistant feature of lighters distributed after that date. They were distributed nationwide through convenience stores and service stations.

The lighters were manufactured in various colors and have a metal flame hood. City-Lites lighters have the word "City Lites" or "C-LITES" engraved on the metal flame hood, and Liberty Lites lighters have the word "Liberty-LITES" engraved on the metal hood. The lighters sold in packages of three for about $2.

Consumers who own City Lights or Liberty Lights lighters should call (800) 626-4732 to receive a postage-paid mailer for returning the lighters. The company will send a novelty product with a retail value of approximately $5 to cover any inconvenience on the part of consumers. Child-resistant "City-Lites" lighters and child-proof "Liberty-Lites" lighters are not subject to this recall.