Which action is NOT part of the six steps to check a fire extinguisher?

The action that is not part of the six steps to check a fire extinguisher is shaking the extinguisher vigorously. Proper maintenance checks, which typically involve steps such as checking for obstructions in the hose, ensuring the tags are current, checking the pressure gauge, inspecting the nozzle for blockages, examining the physical condition of the extinguisher, and ensuring that the extinguisher is accessible and not obstructed, do not include shaking the extinguisher.

Shaking a fire extinguisher can potentially damage its internal components rather than provide any useful information about its readiness for use. Instead, best practices encourage visual inspections and functional checks as described in the standard guidelines. Therefore, shaking the extinguisher vigorously is not a recognized method for ensuring the effectiveness or safety of a fire extinguisher, making it the correct answer to the question.