Investigational Guideline

Appendix 45
Revised 1/98

INVESTIGATION GUIDELINE
Child Play Lighter Fires
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background Information
The CPSC standard to require child-resistant cigarette
lighters took effect for products manufactured or imported after
July 12, 1994. That standard applied to most cigarette lighters
on the market but did not cover most refillable lighters or
"luxury" lighters. CPSC staff believes that most cigarette
lighters now in the hands of consumers were manufactured to meet
this standard. The standard is expected to reduce fires
primarily among young children, most children under age five.
In 1995, the most recent year for which fire loss estimates
are available, there were an estimated 8,200 residential
structure fires caused by children playing with lighters. These
fires caused 180 deaths, 1,220 injuries, and $115.7 million in
property loss. CPSC needs to evaluate the effectiveness of the
standard to determine the factors involved in the remaining child
play fires.
A special study will be conducted in FY 1998 to collect data
on child play lighter fires. Local fire departments enlisted by
CPSC field staff will provide data to CPSC following the
instructions provided in Attachment A. The information needed is
further described in the Lighter Study Training Video, October
1997, produced for fire department use.
CPSC field staff will monitor incidents reported by the
departments, collect additional information as specified below,
and transmit lighter samples to headquarters. If fire department
documents do not include the information requested, field staff
should attempt to obtain needed information from appropriate
sources. A Summary of Required Documentation is included on Page
5. The normal pre/post investigation narrative format may be
abbreviated to the extent that the needed information is included
in the investigation attachments.
B. Product Description
Fires involving all kinds of flame-producing lighters are
included in this data collection-- cigarette, pipe, cigar, and
multi-purpose lighters. Study data will be applied to national
estimates of lighter fires, based on national fire reporting
codes which include all types of lighters.

C. Specific Items of Interest
Items of particular interest are the ages of the children
who started the fires, the types of lighters involved, and
details of the lighter ignition mechanisms. Because lighter
ignition mechanisms are difficult to identify accurately,
collection of the lighters involved when the fire starter is
under age five is critical to the success of the study.

II. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING SPECIFIC INFORMATION
A. Synopsis
Each incident must have
a synopsis. Provide the age
lighter involved, occurrence
and sample collection number

a Form 182 cover sheet that includes
of the fire starter, general type of
of deaths or injuries, item ignited,
if appropriate.

___________________________________________
For computerized data retrieval, please use
the following words when appropriate,
cigarette, pipe, cigar, multi-purpose,
mattress, bedding, upholstered furniture.
____________________________________________
B. Description of the Incident
A copy of the Fire Incident Report must be included for
every in-scope fire. Be sure the necessary information is
specified in the Incident Report, other documents, or the CPSC
narrative. In particular, the following information is needed:
Type of Situation (only Structure Fire is in-scope)
Fixed Property Use (only Residential is in-scope, '400' series
codes)
Form of Heat (only Lighter is in-scope)
Ignition Factor (only Child Play is in-scope)
Material(or item) First Ignited (needs to be identified)
Number of Civilian Deaths
Number of Civilian Injuries
Estimated Property Loss (structure and contents)
Detector Performance

page 3
If the fire starter was age five or older, or could have
been a child of this age, the age should be cited in the Fire
Incident Report margin, along with the general type of lighter
involved (cigarette, pipe, cigar, multi-purpose). If several
children were playing together and you can't tell which one
started the fire, the ages of all the children involved should be
cited in the Incident Report margin
If the fire starter was under age five, also obtain the
following from the fire department:
1) Child Play Lighter Fire Questionnaire,
2) The lighter involved (Collect and transmit sample, or if
necessary, photographs, or an explanation for why the sample is
missing),
3) If a death or injury occurred, include copies of the fire
department Casualty Reports (There should be one for each person
injured),
4) Copies of any other narrative or investigative reports on the
incident completed by the fire service.
Information on Item First Ignited
If the item ignited by the lighter was upholstered
furniture, a mattress, or bedding, complete the appropriate data
record sheet (Attachment B for ignition of upholstered furniture,
Attachment C for ignition of mattresses/bedding). If upholstered
furniture was ignited, CPSC is particularly interested in
determining where on the furniture the fire first ignited -seating area, underside, skirt, outer side, or outer back.
If a
mattress or bedding was ignited, we are particularly interested
in determining the specific item that ignited first -- mattress,
sheet, blanket, etc. If the mattress ignited first, indicate the
initial point of ignition on the mattress. If bedding ignited
first, indicate fabric type. This information will probably
require contact with the occupants, since fire departments don't
usually collect these details.
C. Description of the Injured Person(s), Person(s) Starting Fire,
and Product Interaction
The age and sex of the child who started the fire must be
specified, either in the study questionnaire or in the margin of
the fire incident report. If multiple children were playing with
the product before the fire, specify all their ages and sexes.

Page 4
Describe and obtain documentation on any deaths and the
extent of injuries and treatment from appropriate sources.
Information on treatment details is not generally included in
fire department reports.
Section B of the Lighter Study questionnaire should describe
what the child did after the fire started--e.g, what was done
with the lighter, did the child tell anyone. Section B should
indicate any history of child play with either this lighter or
other lighters or matches and the location and activity of
caregiver at time of fire.
D. Description of the Product
The Lighter Study questionnaire, Section A, lists the
product information we wish to obtain. Product features are
shown in the Lighter Study Training Video, October 1997.
E.

Product Safety Standards

16 CFR 1210 Safety Standard for Cigarette Lighters,
effective for products manufactured or imported after July 12,
1994.
III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING AND/OR DIAGRAMMING INCIDENT
SCENE AND FACTORS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT SEQUENCE
If the child who started the fire is under age five,
photograph the lighter involved, if it cannot be collected by
CPSC as a sample. We are particularly interested in documenting
the lighter ignition mechanism, any areas showing where a childresistant mechanism has been removed, and any features that
indicate that the lighter might be a novelty lighter. See
attached illustration of the level of photographic detail
required (Attachment D).
Diagrams are particularly useful for showing the point on a
piece of furniture or mattress where ignition started.
IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING SAMPLES AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO
THE INVESTIGATION
Obtain a copy of the fire incident report in all cases. If
the fire starter was under age five, also obtain copies of the
fire department casualty reports and any fire department
narrative reports, medical records documenting deaths or
injuries, and any other police or insurance reports documenting
the incident. Collect the lighter involved when the fire starter
was under age 5. Include the assignment task number on the
sample collection report.

Page 5
SUMMARY OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
LIGHTER EVALUATION STUDY
ALL CASES
Meets in-scope requirements:
Residential structure fire
Lighter
Child Play
IF FIRE STARTER AGE FIVE OR OVER OR UNKNOWN
Fire Incident Report
Number of Injuries and Deaths
Form 182
Age of Fire Starter
Type of Lighter
Mattress or Upholstered Furniture Data Record Sheet (if
applicable)
IF FIRE STARTER UNDER AGE FIVE
Fire Incident Report
Casualty Reports if applicable
Study Questionnaire
Form 182
Number of Deaths and Injuries
Follow-up on severity if a death or injury occurred
Item First Ignited
Mattress or Upholstered Furniture Data Record Sheet (if
applicable)
Sample, photos, or explanation of why missing

Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
Attachment D

Attachment A
INSTRUCTIONS

CHILD PLAY LIGHTER FIRES
Special Study for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Background:
The CPSC standard on child-resistant cigarette lighters became effective for lighters
manufactured or imported after July 12, 1994. Under this standard, most children
under age five must be unable to operate disposable lighters, inexpensive refillable
lighters, and certain novelty cigarette lighters. CPSC needs to determine how effective
this standard has been in reducing child play fires. CPSC needs to obtain details of
every child play lighter fire seen by your department, including those involving multipurpose lighters. The critical features of interest are the age of the child who started
the fire and the identification of the lighter involved.
The Study Includes:
All residential structure fires caused by children playing with lighters. Include incidents
that meet all the following criteria:
1) Situation Found = Structure Fire (Type of Situation=11)
2) Fixed Property Use = All Residential (Fixed Property Use=400-499)
3) Form of Heat of Ignition = Flame Type Lighter (Form of Heat of Ignition=46)
4) Ignition Factor = Child Playing, Misuse of Heat or Material (Ignition Factor=36 or 48)
Include all kinds of lighters — cigarette, cigar, and multipurpose (sometimes called grill
or fireplace lighters). Do not include fires caused by juvenile arson.
How to Report:
If the fire starter is believed to be age 5 or older, OR one of the children playing with
the lighter was age 5 or older and you are not sure which child started the fire:
•
Send only the Fire Incident Report with age of fire starter (or all ages
involved) and type of lighter (cigarette, multi-purpose) in the margin. Do
not complete the special study questionnaire.
If the fire starter is believed to be under age 5 (has not reached 5th birthday),
•
Complete the special study questionnaire, Child Play Lighter Fires.
•
Attach copies of the Fire Incident Report, Casualty Reports, and any
other narrative or investigative reports on the incident.
•
Collect lighter. Place in plastic zipper bag labeled with incident number,
date of fire, and city. If CPSC cannot take the lighter, collect and hold for
CPSC to photograph identifying information (e.g., brand,) and ignition
mechanism.

Send all samples and completed documents to your designated fire department
contact for transmittal to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

OMB No. 3041-0029, exp 5/31/00

CHILD PLAY LIGHTER FIRES
Special Study for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Instructions: Complete this form only for a residential structure fire caused by a
child under age five (has not reached fifth birthday) playing with a lighter. Attach
Fire Incident and Casualty Reports. (For all other child play lighter fires, complete
only a Fire Incident Report with age of the fire starter and type of lighter cited in the
margin.)
Circle appropriate responses or fill in the blanks as appropriate.
City, State_________________ Incident Number___________Date of Fire________
Child Who Started Fire: Age _____ Birthdate(Mo/Yr)_______ Sex____
A. Lighter Description (from observation or, if necessary, from occupant):
1. Lighter Availability
a. Collected for CPSC
b. Inspected by FD/not providing to CPSC. Current Location ______________
c. Not inspected by FD/identification only from occupant
2. Brand name/Manufacturer/Importer/Country of Origin: _______________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. Type:
a. Cigarette
b. Multi-purpose (grill, BBQ, fireplace) Skip to Section B.
c. Other (specify,e.g., pipe lighter) ___________________________________
d. Unknown
4. General physical description/shape (e.g., metal flip top, plastic case with metal top,
shape of gun, etc.) ______________________________________________________
5. Describe any decorative features (e.g., picture of a cowboy, hologram of a rose)
_____________________________________________________________________
_
6. Is (was) lighter or packaging labeled as child-resistant? (e.g., pictures or words
showing how to operate)
a. Yes
b. No
c. Unknown

7. Do you have any reason to believe the child-resistant feature was disabled before
the fire?
a. Yes, give reason (e.g., tab removed, occupant report) __________________
b. No
c. Unknown

a.

b.

c.

e. Push button
light
f. Smooth side wheels
d. Unknown

8. Ignition mechanism:
General: (circle one)
Specific (circle as many as apply)
a. Tab, lever, or block under push
button
b. Metal strip over spark wheel
c. Side wheels spin freely
d. Push-down & turn spark wheel
moves forward to

g. Other (Describe) ____________
h. Unknown

9. Is lighter refillable (has refill port)?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Unknown
10. Approximate Purchase Price:
a. Under $5
b. $5 or more
c. Unknown
B. Incident Characteristics (from occupant interview):
1. What did the child do after the fire started (sequence of actions)?
_____________________________________________________________________
_
2. Has this child lit this lighter in the past?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Unknown
3. Has this child been able to light other lighters or matches?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Unknown
4. Was this child playing with other children at time of the fire? If so, cite their
ages: ____, ____, ____
5. Location and activity of caregiver at the time of the fire:
___________________________________________________________________
6. Relationship of caregiver to child: ____________________________________

7. Was the caregiver under the age of 18 at time of fire?
f
a. Yes, specify age______
b. No
c. Unknown
Fire Department Contact: Name_______________Phone No ___________

Attachment A

Data Recording Sheet for Mattress/Bedding Fires
(To be attached to CPSC Form 182, Epidemiologic Investigation Report
along with a copy of the Fire Incident Report)
Task Number ________________________

Incident Date ______________________

A.

MATTRESS DESCRIPTION:

1.

Mattress surface type:
/
/ Quilted
/
/ Smooth
/
/ Tufted
/
/ Other __________
/
/ Unknown

2.

Material directly under surface ticking:
/
/ Polyester fiberfill
/
/ Polyurethane foam
/
/ Cotton batting
/
/ Other _________
/
/ Unknown

3.

Pre- or post-standard construction (estimate to the extent possible):
/
/ Pre-standard
/
/ Post-standard
/
/ Other _________
/
/ Unknown

4.

Purchased:
/
/ New
/
/ Used. If used, specify how obtained (e.g., garage sale, etc.): ___________
/
/ Unknown

5.

Date mattress purchased: __________________

6.

Manufacturer/distributor/brand: _________________________________________

Mattress age: ____________

B.

BEDDING:

7.

Bedding items involved in fire:
/
/ Mattress pad
/
/ Sheet(s)
/
/ Blanket(s)
/
/ Comforter
/
/ Bedspread
/
/ Pillow(s)
/
/ Dust ruffle
/
/ Other ___________

C.

IGNITION

8.

Ignition source:
/
/ Cigarette
/
/ Lighter; child-resistant ___ not child-resistant ___ unknown ___
/
/ Match; book ____ box ____
unknown ____
/
/ Candle
/
/ Heater; fuel type ____________ distance from mattress __________
/
/ Other ___________
/
/ Unknown

9.

Location of mattress ignition (even if bedding was the first item ignited):
/
/ Smooth top surface
/
/ Tape edge on top of mattress
/
/ Quilted or tufted depression on top of mattress
/
/ Side of mattress
/
/ Underside of mattress
/
/ Dust cover on box springs
/
/ Other __________
/
/ Unknown

10.

Age of person involved in ignition (if appropriate):
/
/
/
/
/
/

/ 5 years
/ 5 -14 years
/ 15-24 years
/ 25 - 64 years
/ 65 + years
/ Unknown

E.

DETECTION OF FIRE

11.

Detector (smoke, heat, c.o., sprinkler) present?
/
/ Yes; specify type: _________________
/
/ No
/
/ Unknown

12.

Detector went off (alarmed)?
/
/ Yes
/
/ No; possible reasons why not _______________
/
/ Unknown

13.

About how soon was the fire discovered after it started? ________________

F.

VICTIM(S)

_____________ Number of Deaths

______________ Number of Injuries

G. SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA
14.

Education level of head of household:
/
/ Less than high school
/
/ High school
/
/ Some college
/
/ Unknown

15.

Total household income:
/
/ $15,000
/
/ $15,000 - $34,999
/
/ $35,000 +
/
/ Unknown

16.

Approximate home market value: ______________________________
/
/ Rent
/
/ Own
/
/ Unknown

General Description: Provide general description, including all other relevant factors and
information in the investigation report.

Attachment A
DATA RECORDING SHEET FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE FIRES
(To be attached to CPSC Form 182, Epidemiologic Investigation Report
along with a copy of the Fire Incident Report)
Task Number _____________________________________ Incident Date
________________________________
A. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: / / Sofa/Couch

/ / Chair

1. Was upholstered furniture slipcovered? / / Yes
2. Had it been reupholstered? / / Yes

/ / No

/ / Sofa bed

/ / No

/ / Other______________

/ / Unknown

/ / Unknown

3. Manufacturer/Distributor/Brand
____________________________________________________________
4. Purchased:

/ / New

/ / Used

/ / Unknown

If used, specify how obtained (e.g., garage sale, etc.)
________________________________________
5. Date Furniture Purchased: _______________ Furniture Age
___________________________________

6. Standard Certification Labeling; e.g., UFAC or

California standard: (Copy)
______________________________________________________________________________________
B. POINT OF FIRE IGNITION ON FURNITURE: Describe where fire started on upholstered furniture.
/ / Skirt

/ / Seat cushion

/ / Back

/ / Side

/ / Welt Cord

/ / Inside back
/ / Underside

/ / Tuft

/ / Inside arm
/ / Crevice

/ /

Other_______________________________________________
C. AGE (IN YEARS) OF PERSON INVOLVED IN IGNITION (if appropriate):
____________________________
/ / LT 5 yrs. old

/ / 5 - 14

/ / 15 - 64

/ / 65 +

D. PRODUCT INVOLVED AS HEAT SOURCE AND TYPE (Check):
_____ Lighter

_____ Match

_____ Candle

_____ Heater

_____ Fireplace

_____ Other (specify) __________________________________________________________________

_____ Unknown

If lighter, specify type:

/ / Child-resistant

If match, specify type:

/ / Book

/ / Not child-resistant
/ / Box

/ / Unknown
/ / Unknown

If heater, specify fuel source and distance from furniture:
_____________ Fuel source

____________________________________ Distance from furniture

E. DETECTION OF FIRE
7.

Detector (smoke, heat, c.o., sprinkler) present?
/ / Yes

/ / No

/ / Unknown

If yes, specify
type:_____________________________________________________________________
8.

Detecter went off (alarmed)?
/ / Yes

9.

/ / No

/ / Unknown

If no, do you know any reason why not; e.g., unpowered, fire too small, etc.?

______________________________________________________________________________________
10. About how soon was the fire discovered after it started?_____________________________________

F. VICTIM(S)
__________ Number of Deaths

_________ Number of Injuries

G. Socio-Economic Data:
11.

Education level of head of household:
/ / Less than high school

/ / High school

/ / Some College

12. Total household income:
/ / LT $15,000

/ / $15,000 - $34,999

/ / $35,000 +

13. Approximate home market value:
________________________________________________________
/ / Rent

/ / Own

General Description: Provide general description, including all other relevant factors and information
on the investigation form.