Approximately 2.5 million fire extinguishers sold with commercial trucks are part of a significant recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
According to the CPSC recall notice, nearly 38 million Kidde fire extinguishers are included in the recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 2.5 million of those were sold with trucks and RVs.
NHTSA says Kidde will notify vehicle manufacturers that equipped new vehicles with the affected extinguishers, and those manufacturers will issue recalls to notify owners. Kidde will notify those who purchased replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers. Owners will be instructed to contact Kidde for a free replacement extinguisher.
In total, 142 fire extinguisher models manufactured by Kidde between Jan. 1, 1973, and Aug. 15, 2017, are being recalled. These extinguishers could become clogged, preventing them from discharging as expected, or the nozzles could detach from the units. At least one death has been attributed to the fire extinguishers when emergency responders could not get an extinguisher to work during a car fire in 2014.
According to the CPSC, 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.
Owners may contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-271-0773, or online at www.kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information.
