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NYC Fire Commissioner Pushes Ban On Toy Lighters

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Is it a lighter meant for adult use or a toy meant for a child to play with?

Sometimes it's hard to tell and that's why New York City Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano and other officials want novelty lighters banned in New York State.

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Some of look like toy trucks, animals, tractors, rubber ducks, or Oreo cookies. One even looks like a fire extinguisher and makes the sound of a fire engine roaring down the street.

Toy Lighter
Toy Lighter (credit: Stan Brooks / 1010 WINS)

"A child could see that extinguisher for instance or a tractor and think that he's playing with a toy, start it, press it, he could be under his bed or she could be under their bed, they could be in a closet, and the lighter would light, naturally and the clothes or drapes or couch could catch on fire very easily," Cassano said on Wednesday.

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks On The Story

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Toy Lighter
Toy Lighter (credit: Stan Brooks / 1010 WINS)

"Leaving a lighter like this laying around, to me, is paramount to leaving a loaded firearm when children are in the house," said Robert Byrnes, the city's Chief Fire Marshal. "Very dangerous."

Do you think the lighters should be banned? Sound off below.

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