Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms Recalled by Kidde; They Can Fail to Warn of a Fire

On July 9, 2009 Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C. recalled approximately 94,000 Kidde model PI2000 dual sensor smoke alarms because an electrostatic discharge can damage the unit, causing it not to warn you of a fire. Kidde has received two reported incidents of smoke alarm malfunctions involving electrostatic discharge during installation. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Kidde dual sensor smoke alarms model PI2000. The alarms can be identified by two buttons, “HUSH” and “PUSH AND HOLD TO TEST WEEKLY,” which are located on the front/center of the alarm. The model number and date code are on the back of the smoke alarm. Only date codes 2008 Aug.01 through 2009 May 04 are included in this recall.

These units were retail, department, hardware stores and through electrical distributors nationwide from August 2008 through May 2009 for between $30 and $40. They were manufactured in China.

You should contact Kidde immediately to receive a free replacement smoke alarm. For additional information, contact Kidde toll-free at (877) 524-2086 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at http://www.kidde.com/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-66/0,8070,pageId%3D64200%26siteId%3D384,00.html

This is a good time to test your smoke alarms. Go push the button on each of your smoke alarms to ensure that they work. If your system is interconnected, then ask someone to help you to check the detectors on a different level.

Check all of the batteries in your smoke alarms. If you can’t remember the last time that you changed the batteries, then change them now. If your smoke alarm is beeping, then this means that the battery is bad and needs to be changed.

You should have a smoke alarm on each level of your home, one in each bedroom and one in the hallway of each bedroom at a minimum. I also recommend

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