2-in-1 Photoelectric Smoke & Fire + Carbon Monoxide Alarms
CPSC Recall #22-111 — March 31, 2022
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 22-111 |
| Recall Date | March 31, 2022 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 8,000 |
| Importer | Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Maryland |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Electrical distributors nationwide and online at Walmart.com and other websites from June 2017 through December 2019 for between $50 and $80. |
Product
2-in-1 Photoelectric Smoke & Fire + Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Description
This recall involves two models and two date codes of Universal Security Instruments 2-in-1 Photoelectric Smoke & Fire + Carbon Monoxide alarms. Model MPC322S has 10-year sealed batteries and a manufacturing date code of 2017JUN09. Model MPC122S is a hardwired alarm with 10-year sealed battery backup and a manufacturing date code of 2017JUN02. The brand name “UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.” or “USI ELECTRIC” is printed on the front of the alarms above “Photoelectric Smoke & Fire + Carbon Monoxide Alarm.” The model number and date code are printed on the back of the alarms.
Hazard
The alarms can fail to alert consumers to the presence of a hazardous level of carbon monoxide, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or death. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas.
Incidents & Injuries
Universal Security Instruments has received two reports of units that failed to alarm for the presence of carbon monoxide within the specified time requirement. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately contact Universal Security Instruments for a free replacement alarm. Consumers should keep using the recalled alarms until they install replacement alarms.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.