State fire marshal urges cigarette lighter safety and awareness

National Arson Awareness Week theme is 'Toylike Lighters: Playing with Fire'

[May 07, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- In conjunction with Arson Awareness Week, Illinois State Fire Marshal David B. Foreman is urging parents and caregivers to keep all lighters, especially those that look like toys, out of children's reach. The goal of this year's theme, "Toylike Lighters: Playing with Fire," is to focus public attention on the dangers of toylike or novelty lighters in the hands of children. In 2007, cigarette lighters were blamed for 390 fires in the state of Illinois, resulting in 11 civilian deaths, 23 civilian injuries and more than $5 million in direct damage.

"They're selling lighters that are attractive to kids -- lighters that look like miniature toy cell phones, animals, cameras and cars. With these designs, kids can easily mistake these lighters for toys," Foreman said.

According the latest available statistics, the National Fire Protection Association estimated 13,900 child-playing structure fires were reported in the U.S. in 2002, resulting in 210 civilian deaths, 1,250 civilian injuries and $339 million in direct damage.

"Last year in Russellville, Ark., a 15-month-old and a 2-year-old died after setting fire to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter. Such tragedies are 100 percent preventable," Foreman added.

To prevent lighters and matches from falling into little hands, the fire marshal offers the following tips:

• Store all matches and lighters up high, where small children can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet.

• Teach your children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and should be used only by adults or with adult supervision.

• Teach young children to tell a grown-up if they find matches or lighters; older children should bring matches or lighters to an adult immediately.

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Arson Awareness Week is a national effort by the U.S. Fire Administration and the International Association of Arson Investigators. For more information on Arson Awareness Week, visit http://www.state.il.us/osfm/.

Examples of novelty lighters:
(Courtesy of National Fire Protection Association; U.S. Fire Administration)

  

  

[Text from Office of the State Fire Marshal file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]