Consumer Affairs Agency urges caution when using disposable lighters

@Magnus Roe: I know. Unreal.

So someone accidentally killed themselves with a disposable lighter?

@Jonathan... I have to disagree, even if a product is certified by any organization (private or public), still if you use that product in a wrong manner, expose it to some dangerous conditions, etc., that product could be dangerous and thus will require some sort of advice.

For example, car in general are granted to be safe, where most (if not all) of its parts are certified as safe... still, if you as a user don't follow some rules and necessities the car can be dangerous. Another example and even more common, are the rechargeable batteries, they are safe... under certain conditions and they are certified.

So the thing in here is about how you use something, and/or have in mind the conditions for proper usage.

How about telling people not to throw their cigarette butts on the ground?

@ Daniel Thanks for discussion. You don't give advice on something if declared safe. Otherwise, it means it is not safe. It is called logics. I know well about iissue of independence of organizations in Japan. Very well...you are right, hence my assertion of needed effective independence. There are such companies in Japan but because considered of foreign origins, not considered for the benefit of people in Japan enough. If certified, a lighter is safe in my western eyes.

Um,quite new to me. So I have immediately sent an e-mail to my younger son who is an only smoker in my family to let him know about the danger of using a disposable lighter. At any rate, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Shock horror! Ban all lighters immediately - make it mandatory for all lighters to have warning sign on them saying "can cause flames" or even better make pockets illegal. All in the interest of public safety and well being.

@Jonathan Prin

I think you are getting it the wrong way. What the CAA is doing is mostly an "advise", some stupid advise may be but still. They are not making any rules regarding escalators or in this case lighters.

And by "independent organizations making certifications", usually those organizations that make a certification that is acknowledged as viable, has governmental backing and in most cases funding, so "independent" as in not related to central government, is saying too much.

Only in Japan! In other countries, there are independent organizations making certifications of equipment and products, guaranteeing respect of minimal criteria of safety. Rest is freedom of hurting yourself for silly people, or natural selection in evolved speech.

But I forgot I am in Japan, where everyone loves making rules/directions for everyone else.

Hardly unique to Japan. And no rule/direction has been made. All this was was a suggestion to be careful. A waste of breath and print perhaps, but lets not call it what it isn't and then accuse Japan of being meddlesome.

The Consumer Affairs Agency are a joke, first don't walk on escalators because you might hurt yourself, now be careful of lighters because they make fire?

Seriously what is next, be careful crossing the road there are cars?

Coming Up Next Week

"The Consumer Affairs Agency is urging people not to think about anything while riding the bus or train, as this could lead to an outbreak of individual thought patterns."

Wow! I thought fire making devices were safe.

They should turn their attention to the outrageous claims made in the TV adverts, particularly on SkyPerfect, for supplements, diet support and other dubious products. I'm sure that I'm not the only one more than a little perturbed by constant references to "placenta", toilet sniffing women and that woman who marks her calendar every time she has a dump.

ABUNAI! ABUNAI!

I always thought "Consumer Affairs agency" will listen to consumer's complaints against businesses and take appropriate actions to enchance consumer benefits. But I forgot I am in Japan, where everyone loves making rules/directions for everyone else.

44 cases in 5 years. How much money did they spend on this?

This and urging people not to walk on escalators. It seems the mostly ineffectual Consumer Affairs Agency is trying to justify its existence.

The Consumer Affairs Agency is urging people to be careful when putting disposable lighters in their pockets

How much of our tax yen has this sage advice cost?