CPSC Recalls 5.1 Million Kidde Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CPSC Recall: NightHawk Smoke Alarm / CO Detectors

Millions of hybrid detectors have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after they received eight reported incidents of the potentially lifesaving devices not operating properly. Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., owned by the multinational conglomeration United Technologies Corporation (UTC), sold around 3.6 million of the faulty detectors in the United States and 1.5 million in Canada. Kidde is now working with authorities in both countries to replace the 5.1 million units before any injuries are reported.

The hybrid detector, branded the NightHawk, can allegedly fail to notify consumers when the unit is no longer safe to operate. This means that under certain circumstances owners of the NightHawk may believe that their hybrid detector is working, when in fact, it is not functioning at all. Kidde believes that the problem may stem from owners inserting a replaceable 9V battery into the unit, which is meant to be hardwired directly into the home’s electricity.

Kidde’s Previous Recall

This is Kidde’s first recall since February 2015, when their disposable plastic fire extinguishers made in Mexico started malfunctioning. Kidde and UTC, in collaboration with the CPSC, were forced to recall around 4.7 million in North America because the plastic valve could allegedly stop the extinguisher from fully discharging.

In 2014 it was a different line of Kidde’s hybrid smoke/carbon monoxide detectors that started to fail. Those detectors were produced in China from December 2013 to May 2014 and then imported by Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc. located in North Carolina. That year Kidde and UTC, once again under the oversight of CPSC, recalled more than 1.3 million hybrid detectors in North America. Those faulty alarms could allegedly fail to detect unsafe levels of carbon monoxide or smoke following a power outage and sold for $30 to $50 at Home Depot and on Amazon.

The 2016 NightHawk recall affects Kidde’s $40 to $65 hybrid detectors, also manufactured in China, but sold from June 2004 to December 2010 nationwide at various home centers and on Amazon. Owners of a NightHawk are being told to contact Kidde for a replacement or a discount on a new detector depending on the manufacture date. The NightHawk is white and Kidde adorned the front with their logo. The model number and the date of manufacture can be found on the back label.

It is recommended to install smoke alarms on every floor of a house, including the basement, with alarms placed close to bedrooms or inside bedrooms, if possible.

To see if your NightHawk detector is affected and to contact Kidde visit:

https://inmarmarketaction.com/kidde217/kidde-us-entry/kidde217-us-form/