RECALL: Kidde Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarms

Health Canada, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) and Kidde have recalled two models of dual-sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms after discovering that a yellow cap, which is visible through the opening on the side of the alarm, covers one of the two smoke sensors compromising the smoke alarms' ability to detect smoke.

The affected smoke alarms have a pill shaped design on the front of the unit and can be identified by the model numbers PI2010CA and PI9010CA. In order to identify the presence of the yellow sensor cap, consumers should remove the alarm from the wall or ceiling, confirm that it has the brand name Kidde and model numbers PI2010CA or PI9010CA. If these are a match, 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 there is no yellow cap present, consumers should reinstall the smoke alarm and no further action is required.

Approximately 40,000 smoke alarms were sold in Canada and approximately 452,000 were sold in the United States between November 1, 2016 and January 25, 2018.

As of March 7, 2018 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.

What should you do? Consumers 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. ET Monday through Friday, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., or online.

Read Health Canada’s full recall notice here.

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