BIC lighter have child-resistant mechanisms, but they are not 100% child-proof. The small metal strip on the flint wheel is an efficient way of preventing children from using the BIC lighter. However, it isn't efficient enough to entirely stop a small child from trying to use it. Some people prefer to remove the flint guard while others keep it on. In our expert opinion, the absolute best method for maintaining a safe environment for children is to keep lighters out of reach from children. It's worth noting that every BIC lighter meets and exceeds safety standards created by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and all other government agencies.