Check your fire extinguishers, especially those outside the home (like barns & shops)

[zoomzoom]

So, I was cleaning up in one of my out buildings.
Needed to move some fire extinguishers so I could sweep underneath. I looked in the extinguishers ejector tubes of each and of the 7-8 extinguishers in that area, 3 of them were completely clogged from nests made by mud daubers. Not sure if they would work with that much mud packed in the tube. Cleaned them out good but it would have sucked if needed the extinguisher and you pulled the the handle nothing happened.

PS. Something like 40 million fire extinguishers have been recalled. If you have Kidde fire extinguishers that are more than a couple years old, they've probably been recalled. If you haven't already done so, go to their site and order the free replacement.
https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/
Here's another recall on First Alert extinguishers.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2000/cpsc-brk-announce-recall-of-first-alert-fire-extinguishersFirst Alert model FE1A10G with serial numbers beginning with: RH, RK, RL, RP, RT, RU, or RW are included in this recall.

On this page is a list of other brands that have been recalled (e.g. Sears, Montgomery Ward...).
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/K...arge-and-Nozzle-Detachment-One-Death-Reported

 

[Peanut]

Is this info newer than dec of 2018 recall? This thread was only about "Kidde extinguishers".

https://www.homesteadingforum.org/threads/kidde-fire-extinguisher-recall.3808/

Anyway, thanks! I hadn't heard about the First Alert models.

 

[zoomzoom]

Is this info newer than dec of 2018 recall? This thread was only about "Kidde extinguishers".

For the Kidde, I think that's the last recall.
This thread started out about mud daubers but I threw in the info about Kidde as a reminder. When browsing about the recall, that's when I too first heard about the First Alert so I posted that as well.

 

[Peanut]

Mud dauber nests are everywhere in my shop. No matter the tool or piece of equipment... always have to check for dauber nests. Especially my chainsaw, they love to build nests underneath covers.

 

[backlash]

I had one of the recalled fire extinguishers and they replaced it with a new one.
I will check all the others to make sure they are clear and ready to use.
Thanks for the tip.

 

[Magus]

Here's how you keep mud wasps out of your gun barrels, extinguisher hoses and other places that can wreck your day.
Buy a bag of penny balloons and pop one over the tube you want them kept out of.

 

[backlash]

Finger cots.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0827NC43F?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
210 for $5.99

 

[Tommyice]

Finger cots.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0827NC43F?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
210 for $5.99

You can also get them at your local pharmacy in the first aid area

 

[zoomzoom]

Bump. It's mid-summer. Check your outside fire extinguishers to make sure the tubes are clear. I found 3 (so far) where the mud daubers clogged the outlet.
Oh, and they also love the round/ground hole of extension cords.
For both, I use a 3" drywall screw and twist it into the area then pull it out to remove all their mud.

 

[Tirediron]

another important thing about dry chemical extinguishers is that the chemical will compact in the bottom, they should either be shaken upside down once a year (more often with mobile equipment mounted extinguishers) or tapped with a mallet and shaken upside down. really important post shtf. when you can't get them serviced

 

[Caribou]

Finger cots.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0827NC43F?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detai

I prefer the black though there is no functional difference.
https://www.amazon.com/Disposable-F...-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[Homesteader33]

Good advice here to routinely check something that can safe a life or prevent property loss, especially after SHTF. Recovering from a fire sucks, it would really suck post SHTF!

 

[joel]

I checked 200 Fire extinguisher every month for about ten years & most of them were good for more than a year, a few lost pressure & needle moved into the red zone. Some were used & just left where they were used. Many person would tell me that they were used & I would replace them with a spare.
My point is you should check them often, but buying a good fire extinguisher is more important.
Cheap extinguisher will not last, good extinguishers cost & should be sent out for a pressure test once every five years. Halon is for computers & wiring, ABC- dry chemical for most other fires, water extinguisher or a spray hose works good for barns, hay where you do not want to use chemicals on animal food. D class is for metal fires.

 

[angie_nrs]

Between now and the next month or two, hoses will likely go on clearance. The big box stores will want to get rid of their gardening section to move in back to school stock and Christmas stock. Grab a couple hoses to hang by water outlets in case you need some quick water to put out a fire.

I also have fire blankets (thanks to Jazzy's post) on the wall next to my fire extinguishers and in the trunk of my car. Even if the extinguisher doesn't work, at least I'll have a secondary option if no water is available.

 

[Hooch]

Between now and the next month or two, hoses will likely go on clearance. The big box stores will want to get rid of their gardening section to move in back to school stock and Christmas stock. Grab a couple hoses to hang by water outlets in case you need some quick water to put out a fire.

I also have fire blankets (thanks to Jazzy's post) on the wall next to my fire extinguishers and in the trunk of my car. Even if the extinguisher doesn't work, at least I'll have a secondary option if no water is available.

I just received 2 of those fire blankets. I plan on getting more to have around the place .
Ideally, I'd like to have a dedicated place in the shop/barn that has a nice first aid kit, fire extinguisher and fire blanket.
Right now stuff is scattered and disorganized. I'm fixing that but it takes time..