Sinostone Carbon Monoxide Detectors
CPSC Recall #96-061 — January 18, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-061 |
| Recall Date | January 18, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 18,700 |
Where It Was Sold
| Hardware stores and home improvement stores sold the detectors nationwide from October 1994 to August 1995 for a wholesale price of approximately $28. |
Product
Sinostone Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C.- CPSC is urgently warning consumers that approximately 18,700 SC-01 carbon monoxide (CO) detectors imported and distributed by Sinostone Corporation of Wood Dale, Ill., may fail to alarm. As a result, consumers could be exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, toxic gas, which could lead to serious injury or death. CPSC tested SC-01 detectors and found that the detectors could fail to alarm at concentrations of CO as high as 1,000 parts per million. Concentrations at this level could lead to permanent brain damage or death in as little as 35 minutes. CPSC requested that Sinostone recall the detectors, remove them from store shelves, and contact retailers and consumers about this recall. CPSC is unilaterally issuing this press release concerning Sinostone's SC-01 CO detectors because the company is unable to participate in a recall and has not warned the public about potential risks associated with the CO detectors. The rectangular, grey, plastic detectors measure approximately 5.5 inches long, 3.25 inches wide, and 1.5 inches deep, with vertical vents and the word "Accusniffer" on the front of the detector. A green "Power" light and a red "Alarm" light appear in the center of the detectors above the "Test/Reset" button. The model number, company name, and address are located on a sticker on the back of the detector. The detectors have a white cord and plug and a battery back-up system. Hardware stores and home improvement stores sold the detectors nationwide from October 1994 to August 1995 for a wholesale price of approximately $28. The detectors were packaged in a rectangular green box labeled in part, "Accusniffer...110 Volt Plug-in plus Battery Backup...SC-01, Stand alone model..." Consumers are urged to stop using Sinostone SC-01 CO detectors and replace them with new detectors that meet the October 1, 1995 requirements of Underwriters Laboratories Standard 2034. CO is produced when fuel is burned with incomplete combustion. CO poisoning from home fuel-burning appliances and camping equipment kills at least 250 people each year and sends another 5,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu (without the fever). They include dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and irregular breathing. Common sources of carbon monoxide include room heaters, furnaces, charcoal grills, ranges, water heaters, and fireplaces.
Hazard
The detectors may fail to alarm. As a result, consumers could be exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, toxic gas, which could lead to serious injury or death.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC tested SC-01 detectors and found that the detectors could fail to alarm at concentrations of CO as high as 1,000 parts per million.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged to stop using Sinostone SC-01 CO detectors and replace them with new detectors that meet the October 1, 1995 requirements of Underwriters Laboratories Standard 2034.
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.