Don't Wait, Replace Recalled Smoke Detectors Now: Fire Chief

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The time for procrastination is over — fire officials say recalled smoke detectors in homes could be a much more serious problem than we might realize.

I admit it, the Kidde smoke alarms on my ceiling sure looked a lot like the ones that were part of a massive consumer recall announcement last month. Add the fact that I distinctly remember purchasing the combination carbon monoxide detectors in two-packs at Home Depot and it was starting to sound like the product alert might be targeted at me specifically.

Although I made an initial cursory exam of the detectors in my home when the recall of more than a quarter million smoke detectors was first announced on May 6, removing the units and cross-checking serial numbers would wait until I had more time. After all, a replacement wouldn’t arrive for weeks and public safety officials recommended continuing to use the recalled devices until a replacement arrives.

Nearly a month passed before I confirmed that my remarkably similar-looking detectors were not a part of the recall. Perhaps not surprisingly, Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Al Melillo recommends a more proactive approach to matters involving fire safety.

“We all have busy lives and going through the process of requesting the replacement may get set aside," Melillo said. “Anyone who has one or more of the detectors subject to recall are highly encouraged to invest the time in either requesting a replacement from the manufacturer or replacing the unit themselves by purchasing a replacement device as soon as possible.”

It seems possible that some of us, myself included, might just be building the process of checking on the recall status of their smoke detectors into more of a labor intensive matter than it actually is in reality.

The first thing consumers should do if they believe their carbon monoxide or smoke detectors may be subject to a recall is to check the manufacturer's website – which posts a notice with instructions on how to confirm whether a particular device is part of the recall, according to Melillo. Another source for this information is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, or consumers can simply contact the manufacturer by phone to check the status of their smoke or CO alarm, the fire chief added.

In the case of the most recent recall of the Kidde TruSense Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms, per the manufacturer, the recalled units are Kidde Model Series 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070 Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide alarms. Only alarms with the TruSense logo or “AMBER=FAULT” printed on the front of the alarm are included in this recall. Photos of these devices are posted on both the Kidde and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission websites. The model number can be found on the back of the alarm.

Although the recall only applies to a fraction of the millions of smoke detectors in homes, Melillo says it provides a good opportunity to remind the public about the importance of having properly working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. In the case of the recent recall, consumers should immediately contact Kidde for a free replacement alarm, but Melillo recommends that if you have other makes and models of smoke detectors, test them to ensure that they are functioning so that your home or business has protection.

The fire chief noted that most homeowners purchase smoke detectors when they buy or rent a new home, but not everyone purchases carbon monoxide detectors.

“Both are critical to occupant safety in any home or business,” Melillo said. “Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are good options to ensure coverage. According to the non-profit National Fire Protection Association, three out of five home-fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. Carbon monoxide is called the ‘silent killer’ for a reason — it's a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas.”

The fire chief advises homeowners to install smoke and CO alarms in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. He noted that smoke and CO detectors work best when they are interconnected, so that when one detector is activated, the occupants in other areas of the home are alerted.

He added that smoke and CO detectors should be tested monthly, and that batteries should be changed every six months, or when the unit indicates a low battery. Some detectors offer 10-year battery life and do not require replacement - other units are hardwired or plugged into an outlet. The manufacturer specifies how often detectors should be replaced, but if a unit no longer works or is 10 or more years old, it should be replaced.

“Smoke detectors should also be in every bedroom – and it’s important not to forget the attic, basement and any areas where utilities are installed,” Melillo said. “Don’t ignore the chirping sounds of a CO or smoke detector. The sound is warning you that the batteries are low. Too often, homeowners disconnect their detectors to stop this annoying sound. But then they forget to insert fresh batteries and reconnect the device – and that neglect could be a deadly mistake.”