CONTINUOUSWAVE

Check to see if your boat will meet the new USCG regulations for fire extinguishers using this article from BoatUS Foundation:

https://www.boatus.org/fire-extinguishers/

USCG FAQ - https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher-faq.php

Is there a proper way to discard expired fire extinguishers and expired flares?

Your local fire department. Most love the flares for training use.

This is all good to know and to follow.
The fire department in my town suggested that my wife and I use our old fire extinguishers as practice for how to put out a fire, for example, start a small fire in the back yard or in a firepit and then use the fire extinguisher as if we were facing a fire on our boat. This is not unlike the advice that fire departments give that families should practice how to get out of the house in the middle of the night in the event of a fire.

True to form, we have done neither, but I guess a word to the wise.

Good to know. I had all my fire extinguishers replaced several years back during a big recall. I carry two 5-BC and one 10-BC.

We purchase new flares when our old ones become outdated. We keep the expired flares as backup to the new ones. When in trouble on the water a few extra flares could be helpful. We prefer parachute flares because they are far more likely to be seen due to their longer fall duration or hover time.

We always had a new 2-pack fire extinguisher pack from Costco or an old one to teach the kids. Small gas fire in a tin can, let the kids put it out. Save your old flares as backup. Your old extinguishers and VDS have value to YOU.