40 million fire extinguishers recalled because they may not work

[eppur_se_muova]

Source: AP/LATimes

By Associated Press

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 2009 and February 2015, the commission said Thursday.



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fire-extinguisher-recall-20171102-story.html

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Lots more detail at the link -- how to identify, how to contact company, get replacement

[Canoe52]

1. i always thought they were only good for 5 years or so after manufactured date

and should be replaced periodically?

[summer_in_TX]

2. It's my understanding that they should be checked

and recharged at a fire station, not necessarily replaced.

[jmowreader]

3. The ones being recalled are disposable

Metal handle extinguishers should be recharged - usually at a fire extinguisher company - at manufacturer's recommended intervals. The ones being recalled can't be recharged. Use once, throw away.

[truthisfreedom]

4. I just checked mine and discovered that the one in the basement is from 1982. Whoops.

Time to get some new fire extinguishers. My guess is that the phone number for replacement is going to be completely overloaded for the next few years.