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Original poster

Would you allow your 15 year old to have a lighter?

10 replies

FriskyWhisky · 12/02/2022 16:43

He's a non smoker and not an arsonist as far as I know

He does collect things though - he has an extensive coin collection for example

Anyway, he's decided he likes the look of vintage zippo lighters and has asked if he can have one and maybe start a collection. He also likes the look of the quirky new ones.

I've told him it's on the understanding that any he has- if I agree it - won't be being filled with fuel and he's fine with that

Still feels a bit weird to be letting him buy lighters though! Would you be comfortable with it in the circumstances?

OP posts:

TracyMosby · 12/02/2022 16:45

If it is to collect and display i wouldn't have an issue. I had lighters at 15… but they were bic ones.

Original poster

FriskyWhisky · 12/02/2022 16:47

Yeah, I also had bic lighters back in my youth and they certainly weren't for display 😀

OP posts:

Gladioli23 · 12/02/2022 16:47

I mean I had a lighter at 15 with fuel in because I used to take it on scout camp as a young leader. I also had multiple knives from a pen knife to a proper bush knife so I think the lighter was probably one of the lower risk items...

ClariceQuiff · 12/02/2022 16:49

There are some lovely vintage Zippos that would display beautifully - also some very 'arty' contemporary ones. If you're worried, you could ask him to hand over the inside padding that you soak in petrol if you're using the lighter - it's not usable without that. But probably unnecessary as I doubt he would be able to buy lighter petrol anyway - fairly sure petrol is age-restricted.

SparkleSky · 12/02/2022 16:52

I have been reading a book called achtung baby about raising children in Germany. They teach young children about fire safety and give them access to matches and lighters at a young age in a scheme that goes around schools at around middle school age with a view to allowing children to learn about fires and how to safely light eg a candle. The aim is to take away some of the glamour and mystery and teach them how to be sensible and to learn about and mitigate risks. They get through lots of matches practising and teach the dangers of 'playing' with flames and how easily fire can spread. Your son is going to be an adult in a few years you need to trust him.

Itstheprinciple · 12/02/2022 18:15

My DD has about 50 lighters knocking around her bedroom (okay, probably not 50, but it seems like that!) that she uses for lighting her candles and incense.

marqueses · 12/02/2022 18:18

I do, my dc have lighters for wax burners to light the tea lights

But children are all different, you know child best. I worked with someone who I know wouldnt even allow his A level age child to use matches as he couldn't be trusted

FAQs · 12/02/2022 18:20

I now want a vintage zippo. Only for candles but they used to be quite the style statement.

Madwomanuptheroad29 · 12/02/2022 18:23

He is fifteen. If you do not "allow" it, he is likely to do it anyway. At least this way it is in the open.

sadpapercourtesan · 12/02/2022 18:23

My kids have had knives and lighters and axes since they were pre-teens (they're woodcrafters, and their Dad and I teach bushcraft/whittling)

Even if he's fibbing and he wants it for smoking, then the ship has already sailed and denying him a nice lighter won't stop it.

So I'd get him a nice one, and build on it if he does start a collection. Zippos can be really beautiful.

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