CPSC, Specialty Sales Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Novelty Cigarette Lighters
Home product recall 02-177. Announced by CPSC on Jun 12, 2002.
- CPSC: stop using it
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 Jun 12, 2002. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- About 6,000 units, as CPSC gives them
- Reported injuries, in the notice (needs attention)
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
These lighters do not have child-resistant mechanisms, as required by federal law. Young children could ignite the lighters, posing fire and burn hazards.
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For more information, call Specialty Sales Co. Inc. collect at (510) 581-3869 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
Which ones are recalled?
This recall involves two types of lighters. The first type is a refillable liquid-fueled lighter with various decals depicting one of the following: a frog with a banjo sitting on a lily, a man in the moon, Tweety Bird, a unicorn, and a skull and crossbones. “Made in China” is written on a label on these lighters. The second type of lighter is a refillable, gas-fueled, piezo-electric lighter with a dolphin molded on the side. The dolphin’s head serves as a hinged cover for the ignition button and flame port. There is no writing on these lighters.
About 6,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Novelty cigarette lighters.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Imported by Specialty Sales Co. Inc., Castro Valley, Calif.
- Convenience and liquor stores and gas station food markets in northern California sold these lighters, from March 1999 through April 2002, for about $4.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
CPSC and Specialty Sales Co. Inc. have not received any reports of injuries or incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
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.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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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.
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.