BFES Encourages You to Check Your Fire Extinguisher After Expanded Health Canada Recall


November 14, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brandon, MB – Brandon Fire and Emergency Services wishes to encourage the public to check their fire extinguishers to ensure their device is not included in Health Canada’s recent extinguisher recall. The Government of Canada has recently expanded a recall of Kidde and Garrison brand fire extinguishers to cover 2.7 million of the devices sold across Canada within the last forty years.

Health Canada says the fire extinguisher can become clogged or require excessive force to operate and may fail during a fire. The agency also warns the nozzle may come off with sufficient force to pose a hazard. The recall covers fire extinguishers with plastic handles and push-button pindicators.

The 1.2 million plastic-handle extinguishers were sold between Jan. 1st, 1973, and Aug. 15th, 2017, while the push-button type were sold from Aug. 11th, 1995, to Sept. 22nd, 2017. The expanded recall involves fire extinguishers not included in previous recalls in March 2009 and February 2015.

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. Consumers may contact Kidde toll-free at 855-233-2882 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends. Customers can also visit http://www.kidde.com/fire-safety/en/ca/ and click on "Product Safety Notices" for more information.

The model number is printed on the fire extinguisher label. The date of manufacture is a 10-digit date code printed on the side of the cylinder, near the bottom. Digits five through nine represent the day and year of manufacture in DD/YY format. The model numbers for the affected products can be found on the Government of Canada’s website at http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2017/65014r-eng.php?_ga=2.80338900.235770636.1509988132-1148154987.1509988132.