Kidde issues smoke detector recall

Kidde has issued a smoke detector recall for two models because they might not alert people to a fire, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced. About 450,000 smoke detectors are potentially affected by the recall.

The Kidde smoke detector recall affects models PI2010 and PI9010. They are dual-sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke detectors.

The smoke detectors were sold at Home Depot, Menards, Walmart and other retailers. They were also sold online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other websites. The two models were available for purchase beginning in September 2016.

Kidde has issued a smoke detector recall for two models because a yellow cap might cover one of two smoke sensors, and the detectors might not alert people to a fire.

Smoke detector recall:
Yellow cap is issue

The CPSC reported that a yellow cap might cover one of the two smoke sensors. If so, this would compromise its ability to detect smoke.

Consumers who have installed either model should remove it from the wall/ceiling and look for the yellow cap through a side opening. Consumers should not attempt to take apart the smoke detector, open the casing, or otherwise remove the yellow cap, the CPSC said.

If a yellow cap is present, consumers should contact Kidde to receive instructions and request a replacement smoke detector. Consumers should discard the recalled smoke detector only after they receive and install its replacement.

If no yellow cap is present, consumers should reinstall the smoke detector. No further action is required.

Smoke detector recall:
No injuries reported

Kidde has received one report of the yellow cap present on a smoke detector before it was installed in a consumer’s home. No reports of incidents or injuries have been reported.

Kidde can be reached toll-free at 833-551-7739 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (Eastern times). The company also can be reached online at www.kidde.com. Click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information.

U.S. Fire Administration statistics for residential fires in 2015.

Smoke detector recall:
Residential fires plentiful

U.S. Fire Administration statistics for the years 2003 to 20015 (inclusive) show the following:

• approximately 4.9 million fires for those years, an average of about 380,000 per year.
• approximately 170,000 people injured in those fires, an average of about 13,000 per year.
• approximately 35,000 people killed, an average of about 2,700 per year.

In addition, those fires caused almost $98 million in damages to residential properties. That’s an average of almost $14 million per year.

Smoke detector recall:
Detectors can save lives

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• From 2009 to 2013, smoke detectors sounded in 53 percent of residential fires reported to U.S. fire departments.
• Sixty percent of home fire deaths were the result of fires in homes with either no smoke detectors or no working smoke detectors.
• No smoke detectors were present in more than 38 percent of home fire deaths.
• In 21 percent of home fire deaths, smoke detectors were present but did not sound.
• In reported home fires in which smoke detectors were present but did not operate, 46 percent of the detectors had missing or disconnected batteries. Nuisance alarms were the leading reason for disconnected smoke detectors.

On its website, the NFPA says that working smoke detectors are important to provide early warning. The NFPA provides the following advice:

• Install smoke detectors in every bedroom and outside every bedroom. Install smoke detectors on every floor. Install smoke detectors in the basement. If possible, use wired smoke detectors, and make sure they are interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes might need extra smoke detectors.
• Test all smoke detectors monthly.
• A smoke detector should be placed on the ceiling, or high on a wall. Keep smoke detectors away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. Smoke detectors should be at least 10 feet from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special smoke detectors that have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke detectors once they reach 10 years old.