Pepper spray is a powerful, non-lethal, self-defense weapon used by individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones from danger. Pepper spray causes temporary effects that deter and stop your attacker in their tracks, giving you a chance to escape and seek help.
However, one thing a majority of people don’t know is whether or not pepper spray expires and does expired pepper spray still work? It may not be the first thing that crosses your mind when you think of pepper spray but it’s a vital step in understanding how pepper spray works. Pepper spray does indeed expire. The question is, is expired pepper spray still effective?
How Long Does Pepper Spray Expire?
The shelf life of pepper spray mainly depends on two things, the brand and the specific type of spray. The shelf life of most of these pepper sprays range from about two to five years. In case you are wondering does pepper spray have an expiration date, yes it does. Before purchasing a can, it’s important to find out how long before pepper spray expires. This gives you a timeframe in which your pepper spray is effective for.
Constantly checking the expiration date of your pepper spray also allows you to determine whether your pepper spray is still effective. This is because pepper spray tends to decrease its effectiveness after a while.
What Happens to Pepper Spray When It Expires?
As is with any other product, pepper spray has an expiration date and a limited shelf life. If you are wondering, does pepper spray lose its potency? It does. It’s essential to understand when this happens so you stop using the canister.
There are several signs that you will notice when determining whether your pepper spray has expired. One of these signs includes the expiration date. Does pepper spray have an expiration date? An expiration date means that the potency of the pepper spray is diminished. Capsaicin, which is the active ingredient in pepper spray, reduces over time rendering the pepper spray ineffective.
Once pepper spray has a diminished potency it loses its immobilizing effect and using it against your attacker will not work. Expiration also affects propellants and preservatives which are other components of pepper spray. These ingredients lose their effectiveness over time and contribute to the ineffectiveness of expired pepper spray.
Another sign that your pepper spray is expired is the smell. Normally, pepper spray has a strong, potent stream once you spray it. So, if you’re questioning, how does pepper spray expire? The smell is one thing you must look out for. It’s also critical to check the appearance of your pepper spray. Once you notice that it’s discolored or the consistency has changed then it’s probably expired.
Does Sabre Pepper Spray Expire?
Over time, Sabre pepper spray units lose their potency and you can therefore not use them against your attacker. Once this pepper spray expires, it cannot shoot as far as it used to, if at all it shoots. For this reason, it’s advisable to replace your pepper spray once you notice that it’s expired.
How Long Does Pepper Spray Expire?
Typically, pepper spray has a shelf life of about two to five years. However, this varies depending on the brand and composition of a specific pepper spray. A majority of people wonder how long until pepper spray expires or how long before pepper spray expires?
This mainly depends on the kind of pepper spray you have bought and from what brand. You would assume that pepper spray does not expire since it comes in a sealed container. However, pepper spray stops working after a while. What is the pepper spray expiration date? This is something you will find out from your specific pepper spray. Different brands and pepper sprays have a different expiration date.
Why Does Pepper Spray Expire?
Before purchasing a can of pepper spray, you need to know, does pepper spray ever go bad? Or does pepper spray go bad? Although do pepper spray expire is not a question that will easily cross your mind, it’s important to understand this since you will be able to handle your pepper spray better.
When does OC spray expire? Like any other aerosol product pepper spray does expire. The active components found in pepper spray have a limited shelf life and once they are diminished your pepper spray stops working the same way it did in the beginning. Your pepper spray has an expiration date and despite the manufacturers not being sure whether it’s accurate, it gives you an estimate of when to expect your pepper spray to stop working. Ensure you test your pepper spray every three to six months to determine whether it’s still working. This way, you don’t end up using an ineffective pepper spray can in the event of danger.
Conclusion
A lot of factors contribute to the expiration of pepper spray. Understanding this helps you to determine the time frame you can use your pepper spray effectively. How long does pepper spray take to expire? Depending on the brand and composition of pepper spray, expiration dates differ.
When purchasing pepper spray, you need to check on the expiration date. This will help you determine the shelf life of that specific pepper spray. You also need to know: does pepper spray evaporate? Not only does this help you learn how to take care of your pepper spray but also how long you can use it before it becomes ineffective.
Written by: Georgina Njoki
Freelance Copywriter and Travel Enthusiast.
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