Kidde brand NightHawk combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are being recalled for alarm failure. The recalled alarms have the model number KN-COSM-IB and manufacture dates between June 1, 2004 and December 31, 2010. Consumers who have purchased these products should contact the company for a free replacement.
These alarms have a seven-year lifespan and should be replaced at that time. The alarms continue to chirp when they reach this milestone. However, replacing the batteries on alarms that have reached the end of their lifespan can stop the chirping, leading consumers to believe the devices are still working. This poses a risk to consumers as the alarms may not sound if there is a fire or CO incident in their home.
About 3.6 million of these alarms were sold in the U.S. and another 1.5 million were sold in Canada. They are being recalled in both countries. Eight failures have been reported with no injuries. The recalled alarms are round, between five and six inches in diameter
The recalled alarms are round, between five and six inches in diameter and have the manufacturer’s name Kidde on the front. Only hardwired models with the following models and manufacturing dates are affected:
| MODEL NUMBER | DATE OF MANUFACTURE |
| KN-COSM-IB | Between June 2004 – December 2005 |
| KN-COSM-IB | January 2006 – December 2009 |
| KN-COSM-IB | January 2010 – December 2010 |
For more information on the recall visit the company’s website.
Only Functioning Smoke Alarms Can Save Lives
On average, seven people in the U.S. die in house fires every day, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Three-fifths of those fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced once a year and smoke alarms themselves should be replaced every 10 years unless, as with these recalled alarms, a shorter lifespan is indicated by the manufacturer.