Earlier this winter, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled more than 40 million Kidde disposable fire extinguishers, according to CNN. The fire extinguishers have already been linked to hundreds of likely fatalities. The problem lies with the plastic handle and push button that can become clogged. The nozzle may detach with enough force to cause an impact hazard.
Kidde Fire Extinguishers Spanning More Than Four Decades Have Been Recalled
The problem stems all the way back to 1973, and the recall is issued for 134 Kidde fire extinguisher models made between 1973 and 2017. For most people, buying a fire extinguisher is a once-in-a-decade endeavor. A fire extinguisher is bought, and stored in the kitchen or car and essentially forgotten about until it is needed in an emergency. As such, most people do not even know what type or brand of fire extinguisher they have. Because of the vast seriousness of this recall, everyone that owns a fire extinguisher should consider checking theirs and figuring out whether their model and serial number have been recalled.
Close to 400 Reports of Kidde Fire Extinguisher Failures
One fatality almost certainly linked to Kidde’s faulty fire extinguishers occurred here in Pennsylvania a few years ago. A 22-year-old crashed his car into a tree and the vehicle burst into flames. When firefighters arrived on the scene to assist, the Kidde fire extinguishers did not work. The CPSC has had at least 391 reports of malfunctioning Kidde fire extinguishers. Of those, 16 caused serious injury.
Equip Your Kitchen with a Properly Functioning Fire Extinguisher
It should come as little surprise that the most common place for a fire to occur within the home is the kitchen, as reported by Safewise. Most fire extinguishers are placed in the kitchen, either tucked in a corner, bolted onto the wall in a convenient location, or stored in a drawer or cabinet. Millions of people throughout the U.S. and Pennsylvania depend on fire extinguishers each year to put out kitchen fires that could otherwise quickly grow out of control. When their trusted fire extinguisher fails to do anything other than possibly blow its nozzle off in a dangerously forceful manner, their entire homes could go up in flames before firefighters arrive. After the kitchen, the following most likely areas in your home to catch fire are the bedroom, chimney, living room, and laundry room.
Call a Product Liability Attorney in Philadelphia Today
If you or a family member have been injured in a fire due to any type of faulty fire prevention or fire fighting equipment, including a smoke detector or fire extinguisher, it is in your best interest to reach out to an experienced product liability lawyer at once. Call the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers with van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim for help recovering compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, disfigurement, property damage, and potential loss of joy in life or loss of consortium.
Resources:
cnn.com/2017/11/02/health/fire-extinguishers-recall/index.html
safewise.com/blog/the-most-common-places-that-fires-occur-in-the-home/