Kidde Recalls 4.6 Million Fire Extinguishers
By Jim Donovan: Kidde is recalling 4.6 million fire extinguishers. A faulty valve component can cause the disposable fire extinguishers not to fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released during a fire emergency, posing a risk of injury.
Kidde has received 11 reports of the recalled fire extinguishers failing to discharge as expected. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves 31 models of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers with Zytel® black plastic valves. The recalled extinguishers are red, white or silver and are either ABC or BC rated. The ratings can be found to the right of the nameplate. Manufacture dates included in the recall are July 23, 2013 through October 15, 2014. A 10-digit date code is stamped on the side of the cylinder, near the bottom. Digits five through nine represent the day and year of manufacture in DDDYY format. Date codes for recalled units manufactured in 2013 are XXXX 20413 X through XXXX 36513 X and 2014 are XXXX 00114 X through XXXX 28814 X. A nameplate affixed to the front of the fire extinguisher has one of the following model numbers:
10BC
1A 10BC
1A 10BCW
2A10BC
5BC
5BCW
FA10G
FA110
FA5B
FC10
FC110
FC5
FH/ RESSP
FX10
FX10BC
FX10K
FX210
FX210R
FX210W
FX340GW
FX340SC
FX5II
KFH Twin
M110 Twin
M5 Twin
Mariner 10
Mariner 110
Mariner 5
Mariner 5 G
RESSP
XL 5MR
The extinguishers were sold at Home Depot, Menards, Walmart and other department, home and hardware stores nationwide, and online from August 2013 through November 2014 for between $18 and $65, and about $200 for model XL 5MR.
Consumers should immediately contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher. Kidde toll-free at (855) 283-7991 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.kidde.com and click on Safety Notice for more information.
