Ban or just Beware?

Draka · #1 02-09-2008, 11:34 AM

Should novelty lighters that come in shapes of skateboards, bears, frogs, cell phones and so on and so forth be banned or is it just a case of consumer beware?

Novelty lighters

You take your child to the store or into the gas station with you and right near the checkout, real close to bubble gum and candy bars are these fascinating cute little toys that aren't toys. You kid reaches for them, wants them, wants to play with them.

You take your child with you to a friends house. They are sitting on the floor watching tv as you talk to your friend. You get distracted by your conversation and don't notice right away that your child has found your friend's bright green frog lighter.

Should these lighters be banned for the safety of children? (Because honestly, is it necessary to make non-childproof lighters that look just like children's toys?) Or is it just a case of parent beware?

There was suppose to be a poll with this thread, but it didn't go through for some reason.

dawny0826 · #2 02-09-2008, 12:00 PM

I personally think the cutesy lighters are unnecessary but I don't believe a ban is in order. I wouldn't buy such a lighter as I know my girls would do exactly what you described.

ChristineES · #3 02-09-2008, 02:54 PM

Don't have to ban them if they are kept out children's reach.

methylatedghosts · #4 02-09-2008, 03:16 PM

Just like with matches and knives

"keep out of children"

Mestemia · #5 02-09-2008, 03:35 PM

How about we ban stupid people who leave lighters down where children can get to them?
Seems to me if they are leaving lighters within a childs reach, they are very likely leaving other things that children should not have within reach.
Like say gasoline, don't want barbie skating through it, could light a fire.

MidnightBlue · #6 02-09-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mestemia

How about we ban stupid people who leave lighters down where children can get to them?
Seems to me if they are leaving lighters within a childs reach, they are very likely leaving other things that children should not have within reach.
Like say gasoline, don't want barbie skating through it, could light a fire.

Not to mention antifreeze, which is sweet and looks kind of like Gatorade.

nutshell · #7 02-09-2008, 04:39 PM

The lighter companies have already been sued in the past for lighters that weren't child proof. I can't imagine them developing lighters that actually attract children.

Question: Are these "cute" lighters childproof?

Draka · #8 02-09-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutshell

The lighter companies have already been sued in the past for lighters that weren't child proof. I can't imagine them developing lighters that actually attract children.

Question: Are these "cute" lighters childproof?

For the most part I'd say no. I haven't seen one that is. Thing is, when you go to the counter at a gas station, to pay for your gas, soda, and snack chips, they are usually right there on the counter...right above the gum. The least that could be done is to have them displayed behind the counter where little children couldn't reach them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mestemia

How about we ban stupid people who leave lighters down where children can get to them?
Seems to me if they are leaving lighters within a childs reach, they are very likely leaving other things that children should not have within reach.

I really don't see anything wrong with that. If people can think enough to put their candles up, their cigarettes up, their ashtrays up, then naturally you would think that they would put their lighters up. But that does require thinking and how many people you know of that smoke have their ashtray up high? Then again...this goes to the stupidity of smoking in a house where you have children.

We have lighters for lighting our candles and incense. Our candles, incense and lighters (all plain looking Bics) are all up high on top of dressers or our entertainment center.

I have, however, been in homes where the people have children and their ashtrays are down on their coffee tables and their lighters are down their too. Add to that making the lighter look like a toy and it is just an invitation for a child to burn himself or something else.

I guess stupidity comes into play here.

Mestemia · #9 02-09-2008, 05:12 PM

I have several of those lighters.
But I do not use them
Well, I do if I cannot find another lighter.
And NONE of my novelty lighters are child preventive, let alone proof.
No I do not leave them down where the kids can get them.

I see nothing wrong with smoking in the house even with children.
That is, so long as certain steps are taken.