Video: Firefighters push for ban on novelty lighters

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SEATTLE - It's National Arson Awareness Week and northwest firefighters are pushing for a ban on "novelty lighters"

Novelty lighters come in all shapes and sizes and some look a lot like small toys, even cell phones.

You can find them in Seattle convenience stores. Many have warning labels which warn that they should be kept away from children.

"We run the real risk of kids being seriously hurt if not killed by these things, and that just scares me to death," said Jim Trett, firefighter.

The Oregon Fire Marshal's office says the devices should be taken off store shelves. They cite the European Union's recent decision to ban the lighters and a fatal fire in Arkansas sparked by a motorcycle-shaped lighter as reasons for the move.

"What we would like to see is a national ban," said Rich Hoover, spokesperson.

Washington's Fire Marshal isn't calling for a ban, but does say kids playing with lighters started 170 arsons statewide last year. Officials can't say how many of them involved a "novelty" device.

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Washington's Fire Marshal's office says kids playing with lighters started 170 arsons statewide last year.

"People need to be very aware and really think about bringing them into the house because if they see you with them, you are basically telling a child if I can play with it, you can," Trett said.

Earlier this week Seattle firefighters say a home burned to the ground because of a child playing with a lighter.

So far only Yakima and Yakima County have placed a ban on the novelty lighters.