What is the proper action to take if a fire extinguisher shows signs of damage?

When a fire extinguisher shows signs of damage, the appropriate action is to immediately remove it from service and report it. This ensures safety and compliance with fire safety regulations. A damaged extinguisher may not function properly during an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk and failing to control a fire effectively.

Promptly taking the extinguisher out of service helps prevent its use in urgency when it might fail. Reporting it allows for proper inspection and repair or replacement, ensuring that all firefighting equipment in a facility remains reliable and functional.

The other actions, such as using a damaged extinguisher, storing it for inspection later, or attempting repairs, do not account for the immediate risk associated with defective equipment and could lead to dangerous situations during a fire emergency. Therefore, the only responsible course of action is to remove the extinguisher from use and report its condition to ensure safety standards are maintained.