Millions Of Kidde Fire Extinguishers Recalled
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Millions of fire extinguishers in the U.S. and Canada are being recalled because they might not work in an emergency.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says on its website that it's aware of one death because of a problem with extinguishers made by Kidde.
In 2014, extinguishers didn't work for emergency responders who were trying to fight a car fire after a crash.
The recall covers 134 models of push-button and plastic-handle extinguishers made from 1973 through Aug. 15 of this year. The government says the extinguishers can become clogged. Also, the nozzle can come off.
"It's a product that a lot of people have in their homes, in their offices," said Ann Marie Buerkle, who leads the agency ordering the recall.
In a statement, Kidde said that "customer safety is our first priority" and added that it working with authorities to "ensure that affected fire extinguishers are replaced as quickly as possible."
Owners should contact Kidde to ask for a replacement and for instructions on how to return recalled models. Kidde can be reached at (855) 271-0773 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Consumers can also go to www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information or visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website at cpsc.gov.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
