Spring is a good time to check your fire extinguishers to be sure they havent expired, but if you own a Kidde extinguisher, youll want to also be sure yours wasnt part of the companys recent recall. Well-known fire extinguisher manufacturer, Kidde, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary recall to replace certain Kidde fire extinguisher units, according to Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS).
Kidde launched the recall in response to cases of some extinguishers having faulty valve components that can cause the disposable fire extinguishers to not fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released. BoatUS said that about 4.6 million extinguishers have been recalled; these were sold nationwide between August 2013 and November 2014. This includes 31 different models of Kidde extinguishers. The extinguishers are red, white, or silver with black plastic valves and are ABC or BC rated and manufactured in Mexico between July 23, 2013 and Oct. 15, 2014, BoatUS reported. Some of the affected extinguisher models were designed for the boating market and have a nameplate on the front with the names Mariner 10, Mariner 110, Mariner 5, and Mariner 5 G.
According to BoatUS, citing the CPSC, Kidde received 11 reports of fire extinguishers that failed to discharge, but no injuries have been reported. Apparently, the problem arose from a production issue that has since been resolved.
To find out whether you have an affected fire extinguisher and arrange for a replacement, go to www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Kidde-Recalls-Disposable-Plastic-Fire-Extinguishers.
