Recall: First Alert Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

[MechAcc]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2006
Release #06-151
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 323-9005
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

First Alert(r) Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke/CO Alarms Recalled for
Rapidly Draining Battery Power

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: First Alert(r) ONELINK(tm) Battery-Powered Smoke and
Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Units: About 145,890 (About 52,400 were sold to consumers)

Manufacturer: BRK Brands Inc., a subsidiary of First Alert Inc., of
Aurora, Ill.

Hazard: These alarms can drain the power from batteries rapidly, causing
premature low battery power. Consumers will be alerted to the low
battery power and the need to replace the battery by a chirping of the
unit. If the batteries on the smoke/CO alarm are not replaced before the
battery power terminates, the alarm will not detect smoke in the event
of a possible fire and the presence of carbon monoxide.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and First Alert Inc./BRK Brands Inc. have
received about 329 reports of premature low battery power in these
alarms. There have been no reports of injuries, incidents or alarms
failing to detect smoke or carbon monoxide.

Description: The recall involves ONELINK(tm) battery-powered smoke and
combination smoke/CO alarms. "First Alert" and "ONELINK(tm)" are printed
on the front of the alarm. The model number and date code are printed on
the back of the alarm. Model number SA500 or SCO500 with a date code
prior to March 3, 2006 are included in this recall.

Sold at: Department, home and hardware stores nationwide from June 2005
through March 2006 for between $45 and $75.

Manufactured In: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should contact First Alert Inc./BRK Brands Inc.
immediately to receive a replacement alarm. Until a new alarm is
received, consumers should test the batteries in the alarm weekly by
pressing the "test" button. If the alarm signals a low battery alert,
consumers should immediately replace the batteries. Consumers should not
remove their alarms until they have received a replacement alarm.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact First Alert Inc./BRK
Brands Inc. at (800) 323-9005 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday
through Friday or visit the firm's web site at http://www.firstalert.com

[Jim Davis]

Wonder if this is just the first of many alarms with battery backup to be recalled. I am amazed how many times I hear about other plug-in alarms where the battery goes bad while it is plugged in.

[wptski]

Originally posted by Jim Davis
Wonder if this is just the first of many alarms with battery backup to be recalled. I am amazed how many times I hear about other plug-in alarms where the battery goes bad while it is plugged in.
So your saying that there are units where the batteries went bad because there was a drain on them although they were plugged in or the batteries included(maybe) were substandard?

[MechAcc]

Originally posted by Jim Davis
Wonder if this is just the first of many alarms with battery backup to be recalled. I am amazed how many times I hear about other plug-in alarms where the battery goes bad while it is plugged in.

We just need to educate consumers that if they insist on getting these higher level alarms that they should really fill out a CPSC report on them. https://www.cpsc.gov/incident.html

[Jim Davis]

Originally posted by wptski

Originally posted by Jim Davis
Wonder if this is just the first of many alarms with battery backup to be recalled. I am amazed how many times I hear about other plug-in alarms where the battery goes bad while it is plugged in.
So your saying that there are units where the batteries went bad because there was a drain on them although they were plugged in or the batteries included(maybe) were substandard?

I am talking about the original Durocells that come standard in most alarms. Yes, they drain while plugged in. I think the instructions on most plug-ins say replace the batteries every year.