Abstract: The invention comprises a safety lighter for providing a flame for lighting camp fires, cooking stoves, heaters, lanterns, and the like. The safety lighter has a housing for a fuel container and an electric igniting device, and an extension tube, mounted to the forward end of the housing, that is pivotable from a folded position to an extended position, wherein a flame can be provided at its end remote from the user's hand. The housing has a recess in which a push-button is positioned for actuating the providing of fuel and the igniting device simultaneously. When the extension tube is folded, it lies parallel to the housing over the recess and the push-button so that the lighter cannot be accidentally ignited.