CPSC Urges Consumers to Stop Using Elide Fire Extinguishing Balls That May Not Be Safe or Effective

Fire extinguishing balls failed to pass the required safety tests, and CPSC indicates they lack key features like pressure gauges and nozzles.

Federal safety officials are instructing consumers to immediately stop using and replace Elide fire extinguishing balls, warning that they may not be effective in putting out fires, and could actually increase risks for consumers, potentially resulting in burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an Elide Fire Extinguishing Balls warning on March 28, stating that the products fail to meet established standards for extinguishing fires.

Elide Fire Extinguishing Balls are spheres designed to self-activate within seconds when they come into contact with flames, putting out fires within 3 cubic meters. This ball releases a blast that removes oxygen from the fire and a dry chemical that is supposed to extinguish it. However, the CPSC indicates that the balls may fail to properly distribute fire-suppressing chemicals needed to quell a fire, which can increase the risk of a fire spreading.

According to the CPSC, there are two test methods that are the standards for testing fire suppression devices such as the Elide Fire Extinguishing Balls. These tests are known as UL 299 Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers and UL 711 Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers. The CPSC indicates the extinguishing balls failed to meet either of these tests’ requirements.

The CPSC warns that the absence of a pressure gauge, locking mechanism, self-closing valve, or directional nozzle makes extinguishing fires more challenging and significantly raises the risk of personal harm.

Consumers are being urged to stop using the Elide fire extinguishers, due to the risk of serious injury or death. However, the manufacturer has refused to issue a voluntary recall.

Elide Fire USA has offered three models of fire extinguishing balls through their website, elidefireus.com. The ELB01 and ELB02-1 variants are constructed from red plastic, with diameters of either 4 or 6 inches and weights of 1.5 or 3 pounds respectively. The ELB02-2 model, on the other hand, is made of blue plastic, with a 4-inch diameter and a weight of 1.5 pounds. Each product is accompanied by a wall-mountable stand and features a label displaying the Elide Fire logo.

They were sold for between $95 to $120. This advisory pertains to all three models.

The CPSC is urging consumers not to purchase any of these products and if they are owned to dispose of them immediately at any local fire station or hazardous waste facility.