National Arson Awareness Week ends May 10

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Fire Department plans to approach the Ephrata City Council about a campaign to end the sale of novelty lighters within city limits.

"It's really an information campaign at this point - let them know we're pursuing this as an effort with the business owners," said Fire Chief Jeremy Burns.

The fire department wants the city council to pass an ordinance banning the sale of novelty lighters within city limits, Burns said.

Burns anticipated the issue would be on Wednesday's agenda.

"These toylike lighters are an invitation to children to play with fire," stated Ephrata Fire Department Public Educator Brian Slater. "Removing children's access to these products will reduce the risk of accidental fires, injuries and deaths."

According to the fire department, toy-like or novelty lighters have caused injuries, accidents and deaths nationwide. Two children in Arkansas died after setting their apartment on fire with a motorcycle-shaped lighter. A 6-year-old boy in Maine picked up a lighter shaped like a baseball bat and flicked the switch, believing it was a flashlight. The lighter burned part of his face and singed his eyebrow.

In another incident, a parent in Michigan purchased a lighter for their 4-year-old child, thinking it was a toy.

Children find the lighters attractive because they look like toys, according to the department. Lighter designs include animals, cellphones, miniature cars, doll accessories, fishing lures, cameras and a rubber ducky.

The department added that some lighters look like tools including drills, hammers, tape measurers and paint brushes. Others look like fire extinguishers, fire trucks and a Dalmatian wearing a fire helmet.

Burns said the Ephrata Fire Department has not responded to fires related to novelty lighters, but there are concerned parents who say their child was found playing with one.

The fire department began the campaign as part of National Arson Awareness Week, which started Sunday and ends May 10. Similar efforts are being made nationally, and through the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office and Washington Fire Chiefs, Burns said.

Burns said children typically get their hands on the lighters when it catches their eye at the gas station, leading to a parent or an older sibling purchasing it.

The individual buying the lighter purchases it for its intended use, Burns said.

"But the child sees it as a toy-like looking device," he said.

He said the fire department wants the effort to be a dual partnership with business owners.