Universal Security Instruments · Recalled
CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms
The smoke alarms can fail to alarm when smoke or fire is present. A capacitor in the alarm can burn out, releasing smoke and melting the cover.
- Units
- About 34,000
- Reports
- 3
- Injuries
- —
- Deaths
- 0
- Price
- $10–$15
- Remedy
- See notice
Reports, injuries, deaths and price are read out of the notice’s wording by rules, so they can miss unusual phrasing. The official notice is the record.
Affected
Consumers can identify the recalled models by removing the alarm cover from its base and looking for the manufacture date code and model number. The smoke alarms are made of white plastic and have the manufacture date code and model number imprinted on the back of the alarm. Brand Model Number Description Date Code Safe T Alert SA-785 AC only unit BCSR Universal SS-785 AC unit only BCSR Universal SS-795 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS USI Electric USI-1203 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS Some alarms do not have the brand name printed on the unit. Consumers should look at the model number to determine if it is a recalled alarm.
The file
- Sold at
- Electrical distributors, housing suppliers, and hardware stores sold these smoke alarms nationwide, from April 1998 through June 1999, for between $10 and $15. Most of these smoke alarms were pre-installed in homes during construction.
- Product type
- Smoke Detectors/Alarms
- Made in
- Not stated
- Recalled by
- Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md.
Incident log
Universal has received three reports of alarms failing, releasing smoke. There has been one report of minor smoke damage to the wall of a mobile home. No injuries have been reported.
What the notice says to do
Consumers should call Universal Security Instruments Inc. to receive a free replacement alarm.
Consumers may call Universal Security Instruments Inc. toll-free at (800) 390-4321 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Recall notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This site is independent: always confirm on the official notice before acting.