Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall Lawsuit

Complimentary Private Evaluation for Kidde Fire Extinguisher Lawsuit: Should you or someone close to you suffer injuries, death, or property destruction due to a faulty fire extinguisher, it is imperative that you reach out to our legal team without delay. You could qualify for a settlement by initiating legal action, and our product liability litigation team is equipped to assist you.

Update: Manufacturer Ordered to Pay $12 Million for Delay in Reporting Defects in Kidde Fire Extinguishers

A federal judge in January 2021 ordered Kidde to pay a $12 million civil penalty in connection with allegations that the company failed to timely inform the Consumer Product Safety Commission about problems with defective fire extinguishers manufactured by the company.

Kidde agreed to the civil penalty and other terms as part of a consent decree entered by U.S. District Judge Loretta C. Biggs of the Middle District of North Carolina. The consent decree resolves allegations in a complaint filed by the United States against Kidde in December 2020.

The complaint concerned Kidde fire extinguishers with plastic handles that were the subject of a recall announced by the CPSC and Kidde in 2017. According to the fire extinguisher recall announcement, the fire extinguishers could fail to discharge with enough force during a car fire emergency, and their nozzles could detach.

A subset of the recalled fire extinguishers was the subject of an earlier fire extinguisher recall in February 2015. The complaint alleged that Kidde violated the Consumer Product Safety Act by significantly under-reporting prior to the first recall the scope and nature of the defect and risk, and the number of defective products and models affected.

According to the fire extinguisher complaint, Kidde also failed to immediately report to the CPSC information concerning nozzles requiring excessive force to discharge. The complaint further alleged that Kidde made misrepresentations to the CPSC and misused a registered safety certification mark.

“Companies must immediately report to the CPSC information about unreasonable risks and defects that create a substantial impact hazard,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice announced. “The Department of Justice will continue to take appropriate enforcement actions against companies that jeopardize consumer safety by failing to comply with reporting requirements.”

Kidde Smoke Detectors Recalled Again

Kidde is recalling 226,000 Kidde TruSense Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms which may fail to alert consumers in the event of a fire. The recalled alarms are sold online and at Walmart, Home Depot, Menards and other department, home and hardware stores and electrical distributors nationwide from May 2019 through September 2020 for between $10 and $70. This recall began on May 6, 2021.

Kidde Issues Massive Smoke Detector Recall

Nearly 38 million Kidde fire extinguishers are being recalled over a potential defect that may cause them to “possibly fail to work during an emergency,” according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

About 452,000 smoke detectors that could fail when you need them most are being recalled by Kidde, less than a year after the company called back 37 million fire extinguishers, according to a CPSC Recall Announcement [1]. The problem with the extinguishers in the new recall is suspected to be a yellow cap that was accidentally left on during the manufacturing process which could cover one of the smoke sensors, affecting the device’s ability to detect smoke inhalation. This recall began on March 23, 2018.

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What’s the Problem With Kidde Fire Extinguishers?

If you bought a Kidde fire extinguisher between 1973 and 2017, you may be out of luck if stuff goes up in flames. At least 1 death has been linked to the recalled Kidde fire extinguishers, which occurred in 2014 when the fire extinguisher nozzle detached during a car fire, CPSC said. In total, the commission is aware of at least 391 similar reports which resulted in 16 injuries and 91 property damage claims.

“The recall involves 134 models of defective Kidde fire extinguishers manufactured between January 1, 1973 and August 15, 2017, including models that were previously recalled in March 2009 and February 2015,” CPSC said in the recall notice. “The extinguishers were sold in red, white and silver, and are either ABC- or BC-rated.”

Related Article: Fire Safety and Prevention Tips

Which Fire Extinguishers are Affected by the Recall?

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
• Carrier Global
• 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 340J.L. 2A40BC
• Sears 958034FA 340HD
• J.L. TPS-1 2A40BC
• Sears 958044FA240HD
• Kadet 2RPS-1 5BC
• Sears 958054FC 340Z
• Kidde 10BC
• Sears 958075FC
• SuperKidde 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
• Excessive 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 RZFX210
• Montgomery Ward 10BC
• XL 2.75 RZ-3FX210R
• Montgomery Ward 1A-10BC
• XL 2-3/4 RZ
• FX210W
• Montgomery Ward 8627 1A10BC
• XL 340HDFX340GW
• Montgomery Ward 8637 10BC
• XL 4 TXZFX340GW-2
• Quell 10BC
• XL 5 PKFX340H
• Quell 1A10BC
• XL 5 TCZFX340SC
• Quell RPS-1 10BC
• XL 5 TCZ-1FX340SC-2
• Quell TPS-1 1A10BC
• XL5 MR
• Gillette 1A10BC
• Quell ZRPS 5BCXL 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
• FA110

Push-button Pindicator fire extinguishers: The recall involves 8 models of Kidde Pindicator fire extinguishers made from August 11, 1995 to September 22, 2017. They were primarily sold for use in home kitchens, personal watercraft, and boats.

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

Model numbers on recalled fire extinguishers are printed on the device’s labeling. For units made in 2007 or later, the manufacture date is a 10 digit code printed on the side of the cylinder near the bottom. Digits 5-9 represent the day and year of manufacture in DDDYY format.

Related Article: California Wildfire Laws

Date codes for recalled extinguishers made from January 2, 2012, to August 15, 2017 are 00212 through 22717. For units produced before 2007, a date code is not printed on the fire extinguisher, CPSC said.

What Should I Do?

If you own one of the recalled fire extinguishers, immediately contact Kidde to get instructions on how to return the recalled extinguishers.

Kidde is offering a free replacement extinguisher with a metal handle. You do not need proof of purchase, but you must supply Kidde with the model number, manufacturing year, date code, and serial number.

For more information, call Kidde at 855-271-0773, or visit www.Kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Recall.”

FAQs

What should Kidde fire extinguisher owners do if they believe their extinguisher has a defect that has not been recalled?

If Kidde fire extinguisher owners believe their extinguisher has a defect that has not been recalled, they should report the issue to Kidde and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It is also advisable to stop relying on the extinguisher for safety, obtain a reliable replacement, and document any findings, as this information may be useful if a recall is issued or if legal action is necessary.

What are the potential consequences for Kidde if they are found liable in a fire extinguisher defect lawsuit?

If Kidde is found liable in a fire extinguisher defect lawsuit, the company may be required to pay significant compensation to affected consumers, including for medical expenses, property damage, and punitive damages. Additionally, they may face increased regulatory scrutiny, damage to their reputation, and pressure to improve product safety and quality control measures.

Can consumers receive compensation for defective Kidde fire extinguishers without filing a lawsuit?

Yes, consumers may be able to receive compensation or a replacement for defective Kidde fire extinguishers without filing a lawsuit by participating in the recall process. Kidde typically offers free replacements or refunds for recalled products. However, if a consumer has experienced significant damages or injuries due to the defect, they may still need to pursue legal action for additional compensation.

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Get a Free Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Kidde fire extinguisher recall lawsuits. Our trial lawyers are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new personal injury and property damage cases in all 50 states.

Again, if you suffered an injury or had property damage from a recalled Kidde fire extinguisher, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and our law firm can help.