Recalled Fire Extinguishers

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Spring is a good time to check your fire extinguishers to be sure they havent expired, but if you own a Kidde extinguisher, youll want to also be sure yours wasnt part of the companys recent recall. Well-known fire extinguisher manufacturer, Kidde, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary recall to replace certain Kidde fire extinguisher units, according to Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS).

Kidde launched the recall in response to cases of some extinguishers having faulty valve components that can cause the disposable fire extinguishers to not fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released. BoatUS said that about 4.6 million extinguishers have been recalled; these were sold nationwide between August 2013 and November 2014. This includes 31 different models of Kidde extinguishers. The extinguishers are red, white, or silver with black plastic valves and are ABC or BC rated and manufactured in Mexico between July 23, 2013 and Oct. 15, 2014, BoatUS reported. Some of the affected extinguisher models were designed for the boating market and have a nameplate on the front with the names Mariner 10, Mariner 110, Mariner 5, and Mariner 5 G.

According to BoatUS, citing the CPSC, Kidde received 11 reports of fire extinguishers that failed to discharge, but no injuries have been reported. Apparently, the problem arose from a production issue that has since been resolved.

To find out whether you have an affected fire extinguisher and arrange for a replacement, go to www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Kidde-Recalls-Disposable-Plastic-Fire-Extinguishers.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.