ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Kidde Fire Safety has issued a recall on Kidde hard-wired combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms. The alarm can fail to continue to chirp when it reaches its seven-year end of life — even if the batteries are replaced — leading consumers to believe it is still working. This poses a risk of consumers not being alerted to a fire or carbon monoxide incident in their home. Approximately 3.6 million alarms were sold in the United State and an additional 1.5 million in Canada. Kidde has received eight reports of incidents with the recalled alarms. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves Kidde Night Hawk talking combo smoke/CO alarm with model number KN-COSM-IB and manufacture dates between June 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2010. The alarms are hardwired into a home’s electric power. The unit has a compartment on the back for the installation of a replaceable 9V backup battery. The alarm is white, round and measures about 5 to 6 inches in diameter. “Kidde” is engraved on the front of the alarm. “Kidde,” the model number and manufacture dates are printed on a label on the back on the alarm.
The affected alarms were sold at 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 toll-free at 855-239-0490 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Notice” for more information. Kidde will either provide a free replacement alarm based on date of manufacture or a discount on a new alarm.
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