Two types of Kidde fire extinguishers are being recalled, those with those with plastic handles, and those with a push-button on top.
Credit: CPSC
More than 40 million fire extinguishers sold over a four-decade period have been recalled because they may not work to put out fires, according to an announcement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The extinguishers, sold by Kidde, can become clogged or "require excessive force to discharge," and fail to work during a fire emergency, the CPSC said. In addition, the nozzles on some of the extinguishers can detach with enough force to potentially injure someone.
So far, the CPSC has received nearly 400 reports of cases in which the recalled fire extinguishers failed to work properly. These included 91 reports of property damage, 16 reports of injuries (such as smoke inhalation and minor burns) and one death. The death, which occurred in 2014, happened when emergency responders tried to put out a car fire with a Kidde fire extinguisher, but could not get the extinguisher to work, CPSC said.
The recall involves two styles of Kidde fire extinguishers: those with plastic handles and those with a push-button on top. In total, 40.5 million fire extinguishers manufactured from 1973 to 2017 are being recalled.
Customers with the recalled fire extinguishers should contact Kidde to request a free replacement extinguisher
DETROIT — More than 40 million fire extinguishers, some on the market for more than four decades, are being recalled because they may not work in an emergency.
One death has been linked to problems with the extinguishers made by Kidde, according to a notice Thursday from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In 2014, extinguishers failed to function as they should for emergency personnel responding to a fiery car wreck.
The recall covers 134 models of push-button and plastic-handle extinguishers in the U.S. and Canada made from 1973 through Aug. 15 of this year. It includes models that were previously recalled in March of 2009 and February of 2015, the commission said Thursday.
The government says the extinguishers can become clogged and fail to spray when needed. Also, the nozzle can come off with enough force to pose an injury hazard. Including the death, the CPSC says there have been 391 reports of extinguishers failing to work properly or of nozzles coming off, resulting in 16 injuries that included smoke inhalation and minor burns. Also, there were about 91 reports of property damage linked to the problem.
Owners should contact Kidde to ask for a free replacement and for instructions on how to return recalled models. Kidde can be reached at (855) 271-0773 or at www.kidde.com.
Kidde, based in Mebane, N.C., near Raleigh, says it has worked closely with the government to start the recall and make sure the extinguishers are replaced with different models as quickly as possible. The company also makes smoke detectors and other fire safety products.
The recalled extinguishers are red, white and silver and are either ABC or BC rated. They were sold at Menards, Montgomery Ward, Sears, Home Depot, Walmart and other home and hardware stores, as well as on Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other online retailers. They also were sold for use in commercial trucks, recreational vehicles and boats.
If you’ve never taken a close look at your fire extinguisher, now would be a good time to check it.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of more than 40 million Kidde disposable fire extinguishers Thursday, saying they may malfunction during an emergency.
The faulty extinguishers are equipped with plastic handles and push-buttons and can become clogged. Their nozzles also may detach with enough force “to pose an impact hazard,” the CPSC said.
The recall covers 134 models of Kidde plastic-handle fire extinguishers manufactured between 1973 and August 15, 2017, including models that were recalled in 2009 and 2015. It also includes eight push-button models manufactured between 1995 and September 22, 2017.
The extinguishers are sold online and at The Home Depot, Walmart, Sears and other stores.
A faulty Kidde extinguisher may have played a role in the death of 22-year-old Brendan Rosko in a car wreck in Pennsylvania in August 2014. After Rosko’s car struck a tree and burst into flames, emergency responders first tried to use fire extinguishers to put out the fire but they didn’t work, according to the CPSC.
The federal product safety agency also cited 391 reports of Kidde fire extinguishers that failed to work or had nozzles that detached. Sixteen of those incidents resulted in injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, the CPSC said.
Kidde is recalling about 37.8 million fire extinguishers sold in the United States, plus 2.7 million more in Canada. The company has set up a webpage where you can check to see if you own one of the affected models. Or you can call the company at 855-271-0773.
No proof of purchase is required, but consumers will need to supply serial numbers and other identifying information.
If Kidde determines that you have an affected model, the company says it will send you a replacement within 10 to 15 business days. The new extinguishers contain metal parts instead of plastic.
Following the recall, Kidde released a statement saying, “customer safety is our first priority.” The company also said it is working with the CPSC and other authorities to “ensure that affected fire extinguishers are replaced with different models as quickly as possible.”
Ann Marie Buerkle, acting chairman of the CPSC, told CNN the agency is using print and radio ads and social media to spread the word about the recall.
Correction: A previous version of this story mistakenly stated that the Kidde company told CNN that the Rosko family received a settlement. The company did not confirm whether a settlement was made.
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