WASHINGTON (LOG NEWS SERVICE) — The U.S. Coast Guard issued an “informational purposes only” notice April 1 to boaters regarding the recall of certain disposable Kidde brand hand portable fire extinguishers.
The extinguishers are non-rechargeable dry-chemical extinguishers with black plastic handles, the Coast Guard said. The recall does not involve rechargeable extinguishers that require yearly servicing.
The recall, Recall Number 15-079, was issued by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission on Feb. 12.
The commission said that 31 models of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers with Zytel black plastic valves are involved in this recall because a faulty valve component can cause the fire extinguishers not to fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released during a fire emergency, posing a risk of injury.
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. The manufacture dates included in the recall are July 23, 2013 through October 15, 2014, which are stamped on the side of the cylinder, near the bottom.
Kidde said that it has received 11 reports of the recalled fire extinguishers failing to discharge as expected. No injuries have been reported.
The extinguishers, which were manufactured in Mexico, were sold at Home Depot, Menards, Wal-Mart 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.
Further details on the recall, which involves about 4.6 million units in the United States and 175,000 in Canada, including the model numbers of the recalled extinguishers and how to obtain a replacement can be found at: tinyurl.com/pgwr747
