Recall: Feudor Disposable Lighters Warning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 1987
Release # 87-064

CPSC Warns of Potential High-Flame Problems with Metal-Sleeved Disposable Lighters Manufactured By Feudor

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Universal Match Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri announced today the recall of certain metal-sleeved disposable lighters manufactured by Feudor. The lighters in question were sold in a special three-pack. The package, labeled "Special Offer," contained a lighter in a decorative, removable metal sleeve (case) with a plain lighter on each side of the one in the decorative sleeve. The metal wind screen of each lighter is engraved with the "Feudor" name. Tests confirm that only the middle lighter originally in the decorative metal sleeve could present a potential hazard.

Universal Match Corporation is the sole importer of Feudor disposable lighters to this country. Testing by the manufacturer in France has shown that the lighters in question contain a manufacturing flaw that could, over time, allow some of them to develop excessively high flames. While there is a potential for serious burn injury due to unusually high flame, the Commission is aware at this time only of a few minor facial burns and singeing of the hair resulting from these Feudor lighters.

All of these lighters, approximately 600,000 were manufactured prior to 1985 and represent a small portion of the total number of Feudor lighters sold in this country. During the past 18 months these lighters have been sold by K mart, Snyder's Drugs, Yellow Front Stores, Lucky Stores, LeVerdiere's, as well as other retail chain stores, drug stores, supermarket chains, and convenience stores nationwide. The firm believes that many of the lighters are no longer in use.

Consumers are asked to immediately return the metal-sleeved lighter to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund of the purchase price.

If consumers have any questions regarding the recall or in identifying the lighters in question, please call Universal Match Corporation toll-free, l-800-325-8165 or the CPSC toll-free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.