The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·17031·Announced 2016-11-10

Kidde Recalls Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Due to Failure

Kidde is recalling about 3.6 million NightHawk combination smoke/CO alarms because they may fail to chirp at end-of-life, posing a risk of undetected fires or CO incidents.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (smoke/CO alarm failure) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the 'High' severity criteria in the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Kidde is recalling approximately 3.6 million NightHawk combination smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in the United States, with an additional 1.5 million sold in Canada. The recall involves model number KN-COSM-IB with manufacture dates between June 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010. These alarms are hard-wired into a home's electric power and feature a compartment for a replaceable 9V backup battery. The units are white, round, and measure about 5 to 6 inches in diameter, with "Kidde" engraved on the front and model/manufacture details on a label on the back.

The hazard is that the alarm can fail to continue to chirp when it reaches its 7-year end of life if the batteries are replaced. This failure can lead consumers to believe the alarm is still working, posing a risk that they will not be alerted to a fire or carbon monoxide incident in their home. Kidde has received eight reports of incidents involving the recalled alarms, but no injuries have been reported.

The alarms were sold through electrical distributors and home centers nationwide and online at Amazon.com from June 2004 through December 2010 for between $40 and $65. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled alarms and contact Kidde directly for a free replacement alarm based on the date of manufacture or a discount on a new alarm. Kidde can be reached toll-free at 855-239-0490 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.kidde.com by clicking on "Product Safety Notice".

The recalled product

Product
Kidde NightHawk combination smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarms
Manufacturer
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C.
Category
Consumer Product — Home Safety
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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