The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·96061·Announced 1996-01-16

Sinostone Carbon Monoxide Detectors Recalled Due to Failure to Alarm

CPSC warns that Sinostone SC-01 carbon monoxide detectors may fail to alarm, exposing users to dangerous gas levels.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a safety device that fails to detect a lethal gas, with the source explicitly stating that exposure could lead to serious injury or death, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing an urgent warning regarding approximately 18,700 Sinostone Accusniffer SC-01 carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. These detectors were imported and distributed by Sinostone Corporation of Wood Dale, Illinois. CPSC testing revealed that the devices may fail to alarm at carbon monoxide concentrations as high as 1,000 parts per million. Exposure to these levels can lead to permanent brain damage or death in as little as 35 minutes.

The detectors were sold nationwide at hardware and home improvement stores from October 1994 to August 1995 for a wholesale price of approximately $28. The rectangular, grey, plastic units feature vertical vents, the word "Accusniffer" on the front, and a white cord with a battery back-up system. The packaging is a rectangular green box labeled "Accusniffer...110 Volt Plug-in plus Battery Backup...SC-01, Stand alone model..."

CPSC is unilaterally issuing this warning because Sinostone Corporation is unable to participate in a recall and has not warned the public about the risks. Consumers are urged to stop using these detectors immediately and replace them with new units that meet the October 1, 1995 requirements of Underwriters Laboratories Standard 2034.

The recalled product

Product
Sinostone Accusniffer SC-01 carbon monoxide (CO) detectors
Manufacturer
Sinostone
Category
Consumer Product — Safety Detectors
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · carbon monoxide poisoning

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