People in Lichfield and Burntwood are being warned about the dangers of illegal lighters after a number were seized in raids across Staffordshire.
Shops and market stalls in Burton and a home-based business in Tamworth were raided by a team from Staffordshire County Council.
The public protection team seized more than 160 illegal or dangerous lighters and some will now be tested in the county council’s scientific services laboratories.
A number of lighters have already failed initial tests and others didn’t meet the legal requirements regarding safety warnings.
County Councillor Pat Corfield, Cabinet member for Culture, Communities and Customers, said:
“It is shocking that some irresponsible traders think that it is acceptable to put the lives of Staffordshire residents at risk by selling banned or unsafe lighters. A top priority for the county council is to protect the health and wellbeing of local people and we will be cracking down on this kind of dangerous and anti social behaviour.
“If novelty lighters or those that don’t meet the required standards get into the hands of children they consequences can be devastating. I would urge people to contact our public protection team if they suspect trader is selling illegal or dangerous lighters.”
Some of the seized goods were novelty lighters that look like another object such a as a toy and were outlawed in 2007. Others were ‘midi’ to ‘giant’ lighters which have been linked to house fires in some parts of the country.
Other lighters failed to meet the required standards by having a flame that was too high, displaying insufficient warnings or not going out quickly enough.
The county council’s public protection team can be contacted on 0300 111 8000.