The recall comes 3 years after a car fire ended in death because emergency responders could not get the Kidde fire extinguisher to work.
Kidde has received 391 reports of failed or limited activation of the fire extinguisher, or nozzle detachment, as well as 16 injuries involving smoke inhalation or minor burns, and 91 reports of property damage.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice states:
The fire extinguishers can become clogged or require excessive force to discharge and can fail to activate during a fire emergency. In addition, the nozzle can detach with enough force to pose an impact hazard.”
The recall covers 134 models of Kidde fire extinguishers that were made from January 1, 1973, through August 15, 2017.
The fire extinguishers have plastic handles or push-button Pindicator models. They were sold at many retail stores, such as Montgomery Ward, Sears, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and online retailers.
Some commercial trucks, RVs and boats came with the fire extinguishers. For more information, visit the NHTSA’s website.
The recall includes fire extinguishers that were previously recalled in in March 2009 and February 2015. Kidde fire extinguishers included in these previous recalls should also be replaced.
Kidde is offering free replacements, not refunds. No proof of purchase is necessary. You must supply the model number, manufacturing year, the unit’s date code, and serial number, which are printed on the label.
For more information, call Kidde at 855-271-0773, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or online at www.Kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Recall.”
