"The federal government is launching a massive fire extinguisher recall. It covers nearly 40 million Kidde extinguishers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says 37.8 million fire extinguishers might not work during an emergency.
Kidde marketing videos emphasize how important their products are in the event of a fire, but the company is now recalling 37.8 million of its fire extinguishers in the United States, reports CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave. The recalled extinguishers date back decades and some models have been recalled before for other issues.
Ann Marie Buerkle leads the agency ordering the recall.
"It's a product that a lot of people have in their homes, in their offices," Buerkle said.
The agency claims extinguishers with plastic handles and push button – or pindicators – can clog, resulting in a failure to discharge. Nozzles can also pop off with enough force to be a dangerous projectile.
There have been nearly 400 reports of extinguishers malfunctioning resulting in 16 injuries and one death."