Frye's Lighter Bill Gets Heavy Support

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - It might soon be illegal to sell lighters which appeal to children in Indiana.

State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) authored the bill which passed the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety unanimously Wednesday. Frye is a retired Indianapolis firefighter.

If House Bill 1056 becomes law, stores could not sell lighters which look like toys, animals, food, vehicles, or other objects that appeal to children. Lighters that have flashing lights or make noise would also be illegal to sell.

"I'm sick and tired of seeing babies burned, homes burned, because somebody's trying to make a buck off such a dangerous product," Frye was quoted as saying in the Greensburg Daily News on January 10.

According to the bill, the federal Consumer Product Commission has recalled thousands of novelty lighters since 1996 due to the dangers of novelty lighters to public safety. Fires being set by children have resulted in several deaths and millions of dollars in property damage, it said.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal would enter into agreements with local agencies to enforce the ban. Stores found to be in violation would pay a fine which would be deposited in the fire and building services fund.

Fifteen other states already have a similar law.

The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.