ASRS 2061955

Fire extinguisher bottles are being shipped, issued, and handled without protective shunt caps on the squibs. The cardboard boxes are only labeled as nonflammable gas, not as explosive. When we receive the bottles, the squibs are installed on them and have only a non-ESD plastic cap over the squib connectors. The squibs should have shunts on from the manufacturer, what are the venders doing with them? I brought this up in the past when there was only 1 cap in house. We were told we should make shunt caps via a supplement due to no inventory. Whoever is, doing the inspections, testing, shipping and squib tag should be aware of the need for the shunts at all times until installed on the aircraft. Suggestion: 1st educate the venders and shippers of the hazards associated with the squibs. 2nd make sure the squibs are shipped handled and stored with shunt caps on at all times. 3rd cartons need to be properly labeled as to the hazards contained inside.