More than 40 million Kidde fire extinguishers equipped with plastic handles, some on the market for more than 40 years, have been recalled. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “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 BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean water is urging recreational boat owners to check their boats for the recalled extinguishers and get a free metal-handled replacement by going to the CPSC recall website.
The recall affects both plastic-handle and push-button Pindicator Kidde fire extinguishers, including 134, ABC- or BC-rated models manufactured between January 1, 1973, and August 15, 2017. The extinguishers are red, white or silver and were sold in the US and Canada through a wide range of retailers from Montgomery Ward to Amazon. The CPSC recall website shows how to easily identify the affected extinguishers.
In the recall, Kidde also acknowledged the free replacement push-button extinguisher being sent to personal watercraft owners is similar in size to the recalled model but may not fit in the same location as the old fire extinguisher. “This may require a slightly different mounting orientation or location,” said BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner.”
CPSC says there have been approximately 391 reports of failed or limited activation or nozzle detachment, including one fatality; approximately 16 injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns; and approximately 91 reports of property damage.
Kidde may also be contacted toll-free at 855-271-0773 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday. The company offers additional recall information online at kidde.com by selecting “Product Safety Recall.”
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| Plastic-handle models produced between January 1, 1973 and October 25, 2015 | ||
| 2A40BC | Gillette TPS-1 1A10BC | Sams SM 340 |
| 6 RAP | Home 10BC | Sanford 1A10BC |
| 6 TAP | Home 1A10BC | Sanford 2A40BC |
| Ademco 720 1A10BC | Home 2A40BC | Sanford TPS-1 1A10BC |
| Ademco 722 2A40BC | Home H-10 10BC | Sanford TPS-1 2A40BC |
| ADT 3A40BC | Home H-110 1A10BC | Sears 2RPS 5BC |
| All Purpose 2A40BC | Home H-240 2A-40BC | Sears 58033 10BC |
| Bicentenial RPS-2 10BC | Honeywell 1A10BC | Sears 58043 1A10BC |
| Bicentenial TPS-2 1A-10BC | Honeywell TPS-1 1A10BC | Sears 5805 2A40BC |
| Costco 340 | J.L. 2A40BC | Sears 958034 |
| FA 340HD | J.L. TPS-1 2A40BC | Sears 958044 |
| FA240HD | Kadet 2RPS-1 5BC | Sears 958054 |
| FC 340Z | Kidde 10BC | Sears 958075 |
| FC Super | Kidde 1A10BC | Sears RPS-1 10BC |
| FC210R-C8S | Kidde 2A40BC | Sears TPS-1 1A10BC |
| Fire Away 10BC Spanish | Kidde 40BC | Sears TPS-1 2A40BC |
| Fire Away 1A10BC Spanish | Kidde RPS-1 10BC | Traveler 10BC |
| Fire Away 2A40BC Spanish | Kidde RPS-1 40BC | Traveler 1A10BC |
| Fireaway 10 (F-10) | Kidde TPS-1 1A10BC | Traveler 2A40BC |
| Fireaway 10BC | Kidde TPS-1 2A40BC | Traveler T-10 10BC |
| Fireaway 110 (F-110) | KX 2-1/2 TCZ | Traveler T-110 1A10BC |
| Fireaway 1A10BC | Mariner 10BC | Traveler T-240 2A40BC |
| Fireaway 240 (F-240) | Mariner 1A10BC | Volunteer 1A10BC |
| Fireaway 2A40BC | Mariner 2A40BC | Volunteer TPS-V 1A10BC |
| Force 9 2A40BC | Mariner M-10 10BC | XL 2.5 TCZ |
| FS 340Z | Mariner M-110 1A10BC | XL 2.5 TCZ-3 |
| Fuller 420 1A10BC | Mariner M-240 2A40BC | XL 2.5 TCZ-4 |
| Fuller Brush 420 1A10BC | Master Protection 2A40BC | XL 2.75 RZ |
| FX210 | Montgomery Ward 10BC | XL 2.75 RZ-3 |
| FX210R | Montgomery Ward 1A-10BC | XL 2-3/4 RZ |
| FX210W | Montgomery Ward 8627 1A10BC | XL 340HD |
| FX340GW | Montgomery Ward 8637 10BC | XL 4 TXZ |
| FX340GW-2 | Quell 10BC | XL 5 PK |
| FX340H | Quell 1A10BC | XL 5 TCZ |
| FX340SC | Quell RPS-1 10BC | XL 5 TCZ-1 |
| FX340SC-2 | Quell TPS-1 1A10BC | XL5 MR |
| Gillette 1A10BC | Quell ZRPS 5BC | XL 6 RZ |
| Plastic-handle models with date codes between January 2, 2012 and August 15, 2017 | ||
| AUTO FX5 II-1 | FC5 | M10G |
| FA10G | FS10 | M10GM |
| FA10T | FS110 | M110G |
| FA110G | FS5 | M110GM |
| FA5-1 | FX10K | M5G |
| FA5G | FX5 II | M5GM |
| FC10 | H110G | RESSP |
| FC110 | H5G | |
Push-button Pindicator fire extinguishers: The recall involves eight models of Kidde Pindicator fire extinguishers manufactured between August 11, 1995 and September 22, 2017. The no-gauge push-button extinguishers were sold in red and white, and with a red or black nozzle. These models were sold primarily for kitchen and personal watercraft applications.
| Push Button Pindicator Models manufactured between August 11, 1995 and September 22, 2017 | |
| KK2 | M5PM |
| 100D | AUTO 5FX |
| 210D | AUTO 5FX-1 |
| M5P | FF 210D-1 |
Consumers should immediately contact Kidde to request a free replacement fire extinguisher and for instructions on returning the recalled unit, as it may not work properly in a fire emergency.
Note: This recall includes fire extinguisher models that were previously recalled in March 2009 and February 2015. Kidde branded fire extinguishers included in these previously announced recalls should also be replaced. All affected model numbers are listed in the charts above.
Recall information for fire extinguishers used in RVs and motor vehicles can be found on NHTSA’s website.
The firm is aware of a 2014 death involving a car fire following a crash. Emergency responders could not get the recalled Kidde fire extinguishers to work. There have been approximately 391 reports of failed or limited activation or nozzle detachment, including the fatality, approximately 16 injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns, and approximately 91 reports of property damage.
Menards, Montgomery Ward, Sears, The Home Depot, Walmart and other department, home and hardware stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other online retailers for between $12 and $50 and for about $200 for model XL 5MR. These fire extinguishers were also sold with commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, personal watercraft and boats.
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Company Inc., of Mebane, N.C.
About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than half-million members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses – including 36 free state courses – can be found at BoatUS.org/courses.