Almost 40 million fire extinguishers are being recalled because they could fail in an emergency situation. 

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Kidde Extinguishers with plastic handles and push buttons (or pindicators) can clog, resulting in a failure to discharge. 

Nozzles also could pop off with enough force to be a dangerous projectile. 

There have been almost 400 reports of extinguishers malfunctioning, resulting in 16 injuries and one death. 

The recall involves 143 models made between Jan. 1, 1973 and Aug. 15, 2017. The extinguishers were sold in red, white and silver. 

They were sold nationwide at retailers ranging from (the now-defunct) Montgomery Ward, to Home Depot, Sears and Walmart. You could also get them on Amazon.

Kidde has said it will replace defective extinguishers for free with new ones made with metal parts. 

For more information, call Kidde toll-free at 855-271-0773 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, or online at www.kidde.com, and click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information.