Flares And Fires
Nothing lasts forever, and that's especially true of anything on a boat. When you inspect your safety equipment this spring, pay close attention to those things that have a limited lifespan. Flares, in particular, are only good for 42 months after manufacture (not purchase date) unless otherwise specified by manufacturer and authorized by law.
How old are your fire extinguishers? Many disposable (nonrechargeable) fire extinguishers typically used on boats have a 12-year expiration from the date of manufacture, but don't hesitate to replace them before that if they're damaged. The manufacture date is stamped on them, sometimes on the bottom. Rechargeable fire extinguishers have far more stringent maintenance requirements. Follow manufacturer recommendations and applicable laws as to inspection, maintenance, and care of your particular fire extinguishers. The seriousness of boat fires requires extreme diligence.