Kidde United Technologies has issued a recall for their dual sensor smoke alarms due to a potential safety risk.
A yellow protective cap in limited instances may have been left on one of the two smoke sensors in affected products during the manufacturing process, which could compromise the smoke alarms’ ability to detect smoke.
To identify the presence of the yellow sensor cap:
- Consumers should remove the alarm from the wall/ceiling and visually inspect.
- Consumers should check the brand name and look for the unique design of the PI2010CA and PI9010CA smoke alarm.
- Consumers should then locate the locking tab on the back of the alarm, turn the alarm on its side and look at the opening closest to the locking tab.
- If a yellow cap can be seen in the opening the unit is affected and must be replaced. Consumers should not attempt to take apart the alarm, open the casing, or otherwise remove the yellow cap themselves.
- If no yellow cap is present, consumers should reinstall the smoke alarm and no further action is needed.
As of March 7, the company has received no reports of incidents or injuries in Canada or the United States. There has been one report from a consumer who identified the yellow protective cap before installing the smoke alarm.
Approximately 40,000 units of the affected products were sold in Canada and approximately 452,000 units were sold in the United States. The recalled products were sold from Nov. 1, 2016 to Jan. 25, 2018.
Consumers with Kidde brand smoke alarms in their homes should immediately contact Kidde to receive instructions on how to identify the presence of the yellow sensor cap and request a free replacement smoke alarm if their smoke alarm contains the yellow cap.
They should remove and discard the affected smoke alarm only after they receive and install the replacement alarm.
Consumers may contact Kidde toll-free at 1-833-551-7739 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., or online at www.kidde.com.
