Spark of danger
State is banning novelty lighters to reduce fires set by children
They look like toy cars, cellphones, fire extinguishers, Magic Markers, even doll accessories. One is a model of a Christmas tree, complete with flashing lights and holiday music, and another looks like a rubber ducky and quacks if you squeeze it.
But they are not toys; they are cigarette lighters. And soon they will be illegal in Massachusetts.
With all the talk of tax holidays and casinos, one public safety act passed quietly under the radar during the legislative session. On Aug. 9, Governor Deval Patrick signed a measure into law banning the sale and use of so-called novelty lighters, making Massachusetts the 14th state to do so, according to the state Department of Fire Services, which supported the act. The law takes effect in November.
“Massachusetts now joins 13 other states in an effort to strengthen public safety, particularly the well-being of our children,’’ Patrick said in a statement. “This law will save lives by eliminating the kinds of lighters that have been involved in accidental fires and tragic deaths around the country.’’
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said: “When adults cannot tell the difference between these lighters and toys, how can we expect a young child to do so? Toylike or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the nation. Children are attracted to novelty lighters because they look like toys.’’
The bill was sponsored by state Representative Geraldo Alicea, Democrat of Charlton, who said he was urged by local firefighters to bring the issue forward.
“I had met with a number of local firemen who had brought this issue to my attention and recommended that I file something that would prohibit these dangerous and redundant lighters in the state,’’ Alicia said in a statement this week. “I am extremely grateful for their support and hard work on behalf of this bill.’’
Southbridge Fire Chief Richard Ciesla, one of the officials who lobbied Alicea, said, “This is the next logical step to keep small children and their families safe from fire.’’
Officials targeted the novelty lighters as a means of reducing the number of fires started by children. Last year, children using matches and lighters sparked 158 fires in Massachusetts, which caused two civilian and eight firefighter injuries and nearly $1 million in damages.
In 2008, fires in Holyoke and Haverhill, set accidentally by children, killed four people, including three children under age 7 and a disabled adult, Coan said.
The fire marshal believes the numbers will decrease because the law will help keep the lighters out of children’s hands.
“The reported fire incidents are considered the tip of the iceberg,’’ Coan said. “Juvenile fire-setting intervention programs have found that only 1 in every 10 child-set fires comes to the attention of the fire department.’’ A child using instruments that can start a fire “is a serious problem in Massachusetts,’’ he added.
The law is worded to ban lighters, “which due to the physical or audio features make them appealing or attractive to a child under age 10,’’ Coan said.
The Legislature included an exemption for collectible lighters made before 1980. Standard disposable lighters with artwork or designs on them are not included in the ban.
John M. Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com. 
