Legislature approves ban of novelty lighters

Sunday, April 19 2009 -OLYMPIA – Lighters that look like everything from a gun to a snowman will be no more in Washington stores, under a law sponsored by Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent. The Legislature passed the measure Saturday.
Kauffman says the legislation came at the request of state fire department officials who say more children are being burned or causing house fires with lighters that look like toys.
“We needed to take action on this, these lighters are looking more and more like toys. One burned child is too much, let alone house fires that can destroy property and lives,” Kauffman said.
Gov. Christine Gregoire is expected to sign the law, prohibiting the sale of lighters that have flashing lights or could be mistaken as a toy, into effect.
The bill is Senate Bill 5011.

For more information on novelty lighters and the danger they pose, visit :

http://www.firemarshals.org/mission/residential/ignition-sources/toylike-novelty-lighters/