When you need your fire extinguisher to work, it better honestly work. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commision on their press release, they put out earlier yesterday ( Nov 2, 2017) over 40 million Kidde brand fire extinguishers have been recalled because the plastic handles might come off, the nozzles may become detached, or both. This recall covers two types of fire extinguishers; one with a plastic handle and another with a push-button pindicator system. The recall goes all the way back to extinguishers made between Jan 1, 1973 and Sept. 22, 2017.
If you suspect you have a fire extinguisher affected by this recall, click here to double check which model you have and for further instructions to get you a replacement fire extinguisher at no cost to you. In addition, you can also report an incident involving this product on the link provided above or by clicking here. Presumably, the information you provide will further provide evidence to Kidde that there is indeed something wrong with your Fire extinguisher.
This entire recall stems from a single death in 2014 involving a car fire following a crash. Unfortunately, rescue workers could not get a Kidde brand fire extinguisher to work which didn’t help in their rescue efforts. According to Kidde,
There have been approximately 391 reports of failed or limited activation or nozzle detachment, including the fatality, approximately 16 injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns, and approximately 91 reports of property damage.
Fire extinguishers are always a good idea to have in your home and more importantly, in your car. Although gas tanks and fuel cells are safe from a puncture, in the event of a collision, fuel can and sometimes does leak out. In the presence of an errant spark, a car fire can occur. And even if a fire extinguisher can’t take out the entire car fire, it can at least extinguish the flames around an occupant so they could possibly escape. Any reasonable person would want their fire extinguisher to work 100 percent of the time, regardless of the situation.
Fire extinguishers are simple devices. They are just pressurized cylinders filled fire-squelching agent in the form of various chemical powders or liquids. Although they require monthly visual inspections and yearly inspections by a professional, they really need little to no maintenance in their 5-15 year shelf life. That being said, they’d better work when needed. So if you suspect yours is on the list of recalled fire extinguishers, get it replaced on the double.
