Hearth Record

CPSC, Tools Exchange Inc. Announce Recall of Novelty Cigarette Lighters

Home product recall 01139a. Announced by CPSC on May 2, 2001.

  • CPSC: stop using it
CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.

The short answer

Announced by CPSC on May 2, 2001. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms, as required by federal law. Young children could ignite the lighters, presenting fire and burn hazards.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: For more information, call Tools Exchange collect at (310) 604-4444 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Which ones are recalled?

The novelty cigarette lighters have two brand names: The “Hotery Pocke Torch” comes in various colors, including red and green, and is shaped like a fire extinguisher. It is a butane-fueled, torch-style lighter with a black plastic cap that fits over the flame port and ignition switch. “HOTERY POCKE TORCH” is written on one side of the lighter, “Made in Taiwan” is written on a sticker on the other side, and “PT-16” is printed on the cap. The cap is attached to the lighter’s body by a linked metal chain. The “Pocket Torch” comes in red and dark gray, and is shaped like a fire hydrant. It is a butane-fueled, torch-style lighter with a black cap that fits over the flame port and ignition switch. The words “Fire Plug” appear in red inside of a black disk on both sides of the lighter. The cap is attached to the lighter’s body by a linked metal chain.

About 5,300 units, as CPSC gives them.

The “Hotery Pocke Torch” and “Fire Plug” Pocket Torch.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 2 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Imported by Tools Exchange Inc., Lynwood, Calif.
  • The “Hotery Pocke Torch” lighters were sold nationwide, from January 2000 through December 2000, for about $7. The “Pocket Torch” lighters were sold nationwide, from January 1999 to October 2000, for about $7.
  • Made in Taiwan, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

None reported.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

Sign in

A free account keeps your watch list, shortlists, comparisons and saved searches on every device, and can email you when something you watch changes. Browsing never needs one.