Kidde isn't having a terrific six months. First, the brand recalled more than 40 million Kidde fire extinguishers in November 2017, including models dating back to 1973. Now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that Kidde is recalling dual-sensor smoke alarms due to risk of failure. The recall includes 452,000 units in the United States and 40,000 sold in Canada.
The recall of Kidde dual-sensor smoke alarms includes models sold between September 2016 and January 2018 at Walmart, Amazon, Menards, The Home Depot, ShopKidde.com, and other hardware stores. A yellow protective cap was left on the smoke alarms during the manufacturing process and it can cover one of the two smoke sensors, compromising the smoke alarm's ability to detect smoke. This poses a risk of consumers not being alerted to a fire in the home.
The models included are:
- PI9010 (DC/battery powered): 2016 Sep. 10 through 2017 Oct. 13
- PI2010 (AC/hardwired): 2016 Sep. 10 through 2017 Oct. 13
KIDDE is printed on the front of the smoke alarm models, and the model number and date code are printed on the back of the alarm. Use these images to check your number and date for the models in the product safety recall.
To check if your smoke alarm is affected, consumers can remove the alarm from the wall and visually inspect it through the opening on the side. Do not attempt to remove the yellow cap yourself, but instead contact Kidde immediately to receive instructions and request a free replacement smoke alarm for all affected smoke alarms.
The CPSC instructs that consumers should remove and discard the recalled smoke alarm only after the replacement alarm is received and installed. If there is no visible yellow cap, consumers are encouraged to reinstall the alarm to their wall/ceiling and take no further action.
There are no reports of incidents or injuries as a result of the yellow cap in the Kidde smoke detectors, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
