Kidde Smoke Alarm Recall Issued Over Alert Failure

More than 450,000 Kidde smoke detectors distributed throughout the United States are being recalled, due to a risk that they may not sound an alarm in the event of a fire. 

The Kidde smoke alarm recall was announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission March 21, impacting two different models that may have a yellow cap left on during the manufacturing process, which can cover one of the two smoke sensors.

This manufacturing problem may cause the smoke detector to fail to issue an alarm to alert consumers that they may be at risk from a fire in their home. However, no injuries have yet been reported in connection to the recall.

The recall came after the company received one report of the yellow protective camp still present on the smoke detector before it was installed in a consumer’s home.

The recalled alarms have “KIDDE” printed on the front center of the smoke detector, with the number and date code printed on the back. DC and battery-powered alarms affected by the recall have a model number of PI9010, and AC and hard-wired alarms have a model number of PI2010. Both models have a date code that reads “2016 Sep. 10 through 2017 Oct. 13.”

A total of 452,000 units were sold in the U.S. and 40,000 were sold in Canada.

Recalled Kidde smoke detectors were sold at Home Depot, Walmart, Menards, and other home and hardware stores nationwide. They are also sold online at amazon.com as well as ShopKidde.com. The units are sold for $20 to $40.

Kidde has been involved in several major recalls in recent years, which exposed consumers to risks in their home.

In 2016, Kidde combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors were recalled because they failed to sound during an emergency if they were older than seven years, despite batteries being changed. That recall involved 5 million devices.

Last year,Kidde recalled more than 40 million fire extinguishers after more than 400 reportedly failed during a fire emergency. The problems were linked to at least 16 injuries and one fatality.

With this latest recall, the CPSC is warning consumers to remove affected smoke detectors from the wall or ceiling. They should inspect the smoke detector through the opening on the side of the device and look for the presence of a yellow cap. Consumers should not take the alarm apart or remove the cap.

Consumers should contact Kidde to request a free replacement. If there is no yellow cap, the smoke alarm can be safely reinstalled. If the smoke alarm has a yellow cap, remove the device and throw it away only after installing a replacement smoke detector.

For more information regarding the recall or to obtain a replacement, contact Kidde at 833-551-7739 or visit kidde.com.