The Adams Area Fire District often takes phone calls and receives visitors each year inquiring about what to do with or wishing to drop off their expired fire extinguishers.

The FACTS:
1. Fire Extinguishers DO have a useful life of 8-10 years if unused and they DO have expiration dates on the labels. If it doesn't have an expiration date, it's likely very old and my not work properly when you need it most.
2. The AAFD recommends that homes have at least 3 current Class ABC fire extinguishers in the home (basement/furnace area and/or garage, kitchen & laundry).
3. Despite what the internet says, neither the local waste disposal company or the Adams Area Fire District want to take or receive expired fire extinguishers.

Once fire extinguishers are used or expired, they can be recycled! We contacted the PA Department of Environmental Protection and they referenced us to the Pennsylvania Resource Council's Hard to Recycle website. That website is below. It lists several 'Hard to Recycle' events held throughout western Pennsylvania and they did confirm that these events do FOR SURE accept expired or used fire extinguishers.

We've also attached a website from the National Fire Protection Association that offers some great advice for fire extinguishers in the home. Please click that link to measure up your home's fire protection features against what is recommended.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling or stopping by the AAFD Fire HQ any time!