ESL SafeAir 240-COE Carbon Monoxide alarms

CPSC Recall #04-534 — February 11, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-534
Recall DateFebruary 11, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 74,000
ManufacturerGE Security, Inc., (GE Security) of Tualatin, Ore.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Distributors
dealers and installers of security systems nationwide from November 2000 through October 2003 for about $49.

Product

ESL SafeAir 240-COE Carbon Monoxide alarms

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), GE Security, Inc., (GE Security) of Tualatin, Ore., is voluntarily recalling Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms. The recalled units fail to detect carbon monoxide after 1 year of operation due to an internal software error. These CO alarms do not provide an "end of life" signal or other indication of inoperability, even if the test button is depressed.Name of product: Carbon Monoxide (CO) AlarmsUnits: About 74,000Manufacturer: GE Security, Inc., (GE Security) of Tualatin, Ore.Hazard: The recalled units fail to detect carbon monoxide after 1 year of operation due to an internal software error. These CO alarms do not provide an "end of life" signal or other indication of inoperability, even if the test button is depressed.Incidents/Injuries: GE Security has received one report that the CO detector did not operate properly in the presence of CO. No injuries have been reported.Description: These ESL SafeAir 240-COE Carbon Monoxide alarms are hard-wired and require professional installation. The white, rectangular units are about 6-inches long and 2.75-inches high. "CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM" and "DO NOT PAINT" are written on the front of the units. "240-Coe, "SENTROL," (a former name of the company) and the date code are written on the back. The date code is a four-digit number ending with a "T." The four digits denote the year and week of manufacture. For example, the date code "0045T" refers to a unit that was manufactured in the 45th week of 2000. Only units with date codes 0045T (November 2000) through 0235T (August 2002) are included in the recall..Sold at: Distributors, dealers and installers of security systems nationwide from November 2000 through October 2003 for about $49.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should contact their system installer or service provider to arrange for the free installation of a replacement CO alarm.Consumer Contact: Call UTC Fire and Security (formerly GE Security) at 855-286-8889 option 2 between 8am and 8pm ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The recalled units fail to detect carbon monoxide after 1 year of operation due to an internal software error. These CO alarms do not provide an "end of life" signal or other indication of inoperability, even if the test button is depressed.

Incidents & Injuries

GE Security has received one report that the CO detector did not operate properly in the presence of CO. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should contact their system installer or service provider to arrange for the free installation of a replacement CO alarm.

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.