The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·18128·Announced 2018-03-21

Kidde Recalls Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarms Due to Manufacturing Defect

Kidde is recalling about 452,000 dual-sensor smoke alarms in the U.S. because a manufacturing defect may prevent them from detecting smoke.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

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 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 452,000 dual-sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms, models PI2010 and PI9010, in the United States. An additional 40,000 units were sold in Canada. The recall involves alarms manufactured by Fyrnetics Limited of Hong Kong and imported by Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Company Inc. of Mebane, N.C.

The recall is due to a manufacturing defect where a yellow protective cap may have been left on one of the two smoke sensors. This cap can cover the sensor and compromise the alarm's ability to detect smoke, posing a risk that consumers will not be alerted to a fire. The firm has received one report of the cap being present on an alarm before installation, but no reports of incidents or injuries have been received.

Affected alarms were sold at Menards, The Home Depot, Walmart, and other department, home, and hardware stores nationwide, as well as online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com, and other websites, from September 2016 through January 2018 for between $20 and $40. Consumers should remove the alarm from the wall or ceiling and visually inspect it through the side opening for the presence of a yellow cap. They should not attempt to take apart the alarm or remove the cap themselves. If a cap is present, consumers should contact Kidde to request a free replacement and discard the recalled alarm only after installing the replacement. If no cap is present, consumers should reinstall the alarm and no further action is needed.

The recalled product

Product
Kidde dual-sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms - models PI2010 and PI9010
Manufacturer
Fyrnetics Limited, of Hong Kong
Category
Consumer Product — Smoke Alarms
Hazard
Affected units
452,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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