The alarms may fail to alert consumers about a serious incident
of ConsumerAffairs
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment of Mebane, N.C., is recalling about 5.1 million Kidde NightHawk combination smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarms sold in the U.S. and Canada.
The alarm can fail to continue to chirp when it reaches its seven-year end of life if the batteries are replaced, leading consumers to believe it is still working. This poses a risk of consumers not being alerted to a fire or CO incident in their home.
The company has received eight reports of incidents with the recalled alarms. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves Kidde NightHawk talking combo smoke/CO alarm with model number KN-COSM-IB and manufacture dates between June 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010.
The alarms are hard-wired into a homes electric power. The unit has a compartment on the back for the installation of a replaceable 9V backup battery.
The alarm is white, round and measures about 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Kidde is engraved on the front of the alarm. Kidde, the model number and manufacture dates are printed on a label on the back on the alarm.
The alarms, manufactured in China, were sold at electrical distributors and home centers nationwide and online at Amazon.com from June 2004, through December 2010, for between $40 and $65.
What to do
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled alarms and contact Kidde directly for a free replacement alarm based on date of manufacture or a discount on a new alarm.
Consumers may contact Kidde toll-free at 855-239-0490 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at www.kidde.com and click on Product Safety Notice for more information.