They look like toys, and many adults buy them as collectibles. But some lighters are so unusual children may not even know they are playing with fire. We bought a lighter disguised as an action figure and asked parents and children if they could find its dangerous secret.

"Like a uniform that goes underwater," says Ruben Martori.

"It looks like a creature," says Janell Valdez. "It looks kind of funny."

They take the shape of creatures from outer space, barn yard animals or a butterfly to brighten your day. But these fun figures are not suitable toys for your children.

"If a little kid takes it they could turn it on and light something on fire," says Valdez.

Though many novelty lighters are bought as collectors items, children can be easily confused by the intricate designs.

"They don't see any problem with it because they may have a toy just like it," says Holyoke Fire Captain Joseph Beaulieu. "So they want to play with it because their toy is broken and doesn't make a noise anymore."

Two Holyoke children were killed last month in a fire started when their six year old brother was playing with a lighter. Fire officials say tragedies like this can be prevented if parents take precautions.

"Keep them under lock and key," says Captain Beaulieu. "They are a danger."

A danger that grows when children don't realize they are playing with fire.

"It really looks like a real toy," says Martori. "And you can't really see the lighter part."

Because of the dangers, fire officials in many states, including the Massachusetts Fire Association, are trying to ban the sale of novelty lighters altogether.