Abstract: A child resistant safety lighter is provided which includes a detent on the spark wheel of the lighter which inhibits rotation of the spark wheel in its operative direction when the spark wheel is in a first locked or inoperative position. The spark wheel must be rotated in its inoperative direction (i.e., direction opposite its operative direction) by a selected number of degrees, which number of degrees is preferably defined by a second detent on the spark wheel which interacts with the flint to define a second cocked or operative position for the spark wheel. The spark wheel may then be rotated in its operative direction from the second position to the first position to operate the lighter and to also return the lighter to its locked position.