Almost 330,000 Smoke Alarms Recalled Due to Malfunction Issues
The organization reported receiving eight complaints regarding the alarm’s failure during testing. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported to date.
Numerous smoke alarms produced by a Florida-based manufacturer have been recalled due to their inability to operate and notify users of potential fire hazards.
According to the notice, “Smoke sensitivity tests conducted by the CPSC revealed that one of the tested detectors did not activate when exposed to specified levels of smoke.”
Despite the fact that this situation posed a risk of smoke inhalation or death, it is noteworthy that no injuries have been reported. The company stated that they received eight reports of the alarm malfunctioning during testing.
The model SM1 alarms are approximately 2.5 by 2.5 by 2.5 inches in size and were packaged in sets of two or three. Consumers are encouraged to contact the company for a free replacement, which includes shipping costs.
Three61 has emphasized that the lithium-ion batteries contained within the alarms must be disposed of in accordance with local and state regulations.
“Refrain from discarding the recalled battery in the trash. Do not place this recalled battery in the used battery recycling bins available at various retail and home improvement stores.”
The CPSC has issued several alerts over the last year regarding defective smoke alarms that fail to notify consumers.
“If a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector is defective and fails to alert consumers properly, they will not be notified of the dangers associated with carbon monoxide (CO) or fire, thus heightening the risk of severe injury or fatality,” the CPSC remarked.
“Annually, over 200 individuals in the United States die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning linked to consumer products. Moreover, the majority of fatalities from residential fires result from smoke inhalation rather than flames or heat, leaving consumers with as little as three minutes to escape once a fire ignites.”
The agency discovered that these products failed to meet the smoke alarm safety standard UL 217 and “may not provide alerts” to consumers in the event of household fires.
“Among fire fatalities in homes where smoke alarms were functioning, 28% happened when the alarm did not notify residents.”