FASNY Joins Forces with Multiple Groups to Take a Stand Against Novelty Lighters

Groups call for NY to Join Other States and Ban Novelty Lighters

FASNY held two press conferences in December to urge New York State to ban novelty lighters. The Association joined forces with multiple fire service and consumer groups, to bring awareness to the problem of these lighters and how they may land up in the hands of children, potentially resulting in death and destruction.

On Monday, December 10, FASNY was joined by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), Association of Fire  Districts of New York State and the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) during a press conference in Albany to urge a ban on novelty lighters, flame-producing lighters that resemble kids’ toys. The ban on these lighters would prevent tragic fires started by children playing with objects that look identical to their playthings. The press conference took place in the Legislative Correspondents’ Association room in the Capital and yielded a strong media turn out.

Following the success of the Albany press conference, FASNY held a second one on Wednesday, December 12 at FDNY’s Fire Zone in New York City. FDNY Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, along with FASNY, OFPC, NYSAFC, and the Association of Fire Districts of New York State teamed up with consumer advocates at NYPIRG to once again deliver the message of the dangers of novelty lighters. Again, the media showed a strong interest in the dangers of these lighters.

The groups recounted the tragic story of two Arkansas toddlers, 15-month-old Peyton Edwards and two-year-old Breydon Edwards of Russellville, Arkansas, who died after setting fire to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter. Novelty lighters, like the one used in Arkansas, are designed to look identical to toys and are attractive to kids, as many of them resemble animals, cars, animated characters, and other typical children’s toys. “Novelty lighters are easily accessible and sold in many convenience stores, gas stations, hardware stores and at other stores across New York State. But despite their bright colors and stylish designs, novelty lighters are extremely dangerous items that too often land in kids’ hands and, ultimately, lead to tragic, often fatal results,” said FASNY President Jim Burns. “We strongly urge our elected leaders and legislators to ban novelty lighters to keep our kids, families and homes safe – and to prevent senseless tragedies.”

The groups held theses conferences to kick-off a statewide media campaign to highlight the problem and educate parents and other shoppers about the dangers of these innocent looking, but potentially deadly products. During the conference, the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control showcased several novelty lighters, including one that looked identical to a child’s tractor toy, to underscore the potential dangers of these products.

“The FDNY has driven fire deaths in New York City to historic lows thanks in large part to our  aggressive efforts to bring fire safety education directly to thousands of children and parents every year. We teach children to never play with lighters and we remind parents to keep them far away from their kids,” said FDNY Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano. “A ban on novelty lighters would take our tremendous education efforts one step further by preventing these dangerous objects, which may resemble simple toys, from ever reaching the curious hands of innocent children.”

“Novelty lighters are incredibly attractive to curious children because they look just like their toys,” said NYPIRG Legislative Counsel Russ Haven. “The  toy-like appearance undermines the fire safety messages that parents and fire educators give to stay away from adult products that produce flames for grown-up uses. Sooner or later, they’ll get into kids’ hands, and then it’s too late.”

There have been multiple instances of deaths, injuries, and fires due to novelty
lighter use amongst children across the country. Overall, fifteen states have
passed statutes that either totally ban novelty lighters or allow county and local jurisdictions to pass a ban. States that have altogether banned Novelty Lighters include: Maine, Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii. States that have passed a jurisdictional ban (done county by county) are: New Jersey, Virginia, N. Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Utah, Nevada and Illinois.

“Commonly referred to as ‘novelty lighters,’ these toy-like devices naturally appeal to small children,” says State Fire Administrator Bryant D. Stevens. “Appearing to be harmless toys, novelty lighters have proven to be incredibly dangerous to young children and a ban, which is supported by firefighting, consumer and child safety groups alike, is the best way to keep these dangerous products out of the hands of youngsters.”

The groups are urging that the sale of these dangerous toy-like lighters be made illegal in New York to avert senseless, preventable tragedies. Banning novelty lighters would ultimately lower the amount of fires started by children.

FASNY’s legislative team is presently working to identify sponsors for a bill
banning novelty lighters in both houses of the Legislature. Stay tuned to FASNY’s website, Facebook page and LEAP alerts for information on how and when you can help advance this important piece of lifesaving legislation.