"Nighthawk" and "Lifesaver" carbon monoxide alarms
CPSC Recall #99-082 — March 18, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-082 |
| Recall Date | March 18, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Repair |
| Units Affected | 650,000 Nighthawks and 350,000 Lifesavers |
Product
"Nighthawk" and "Lifesaver" carbon monoxide alarms
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kidde Safety, of Mebane, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 1 million carbon monoxide alarms, including 650,000 Nighthawks and 350,000 Lifesavers. The Lifesaver models could alarm late or not alarm at all, and the Nighthawk models could alarm late. These alarms are used to detect carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas, leaking from fuel burning appliances. When they don't work, consumers can be unknowingly exposed to hazardous levels of CO, and suffer injury or death. Kidde Safety and CPSC are not aware of any injuries involving these products. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The Nighthawk models included in this recall are all models manufactured between November 8, 1998, and March 9, 1999. The manufacturing date is on the back of the unit as year, month, day. "NIGHTHAWK" and "Carbon Monoxide Alarm" are written on the front of the unit. If "Carbon Monoxide Detector" is written on the front, the unit is operating properly and is not part of the recall. The Lifesaver models included in this recall are models 9CO-1 and 9CO-1C manufactured between June 1, 1997, and January 31, 1998. The manufacturing date is on the back of the unit as the first six numbers in the serial number, located above the UPC code. The manufacturing date is written as day, month, year. "LIFESAVER" and "Carbon Monoxide Detector" are written on the front of the unit. Kidde Safety will help consumers identify whether their units are involved in this recall. Consumers can participate in the recall by calling Kidde Safety toll-free at (800) 880-6788 between 8 a.m and 8 p.m. EST Monday through Sunday to identify whether their alarms are involved in this recall. If so, consumers will be sent a postage-paid envelope to return the alarm. Lifesaver models will be repaired, and Nighthawk models will be inspected and tested, and repaired if needed. Kidde Safety has informed CPSC that consumers will receive alarms back within 30 days. All returned alarms will be recertified to UL-2034. Hardware and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold these alarms beginning in 1998 for about $20 to $50. Consumers should not return the alarms to stores. The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to flu, and include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Exposure to high levels of CO can cause death. CO poisoning associated with using fuel-burning appliances kills more than 200 people each year and sends about 10,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (transcript). This is in "streaming video" format.
Hazard
These alarms are used to detect carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas, leaking from fuel burning appliances. When they don't work, consumers can be unknowingly exposed to hazardous levels of CO, and suffer injury or death.
Incidents & Injuries
Kidde Safety and CPSC are not aware of any injuries involving these products. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers can participate in the recall by calling Kidde Safety toll-free at (800) 880-6788 between 8 a.m and 8 p.m. EST Monday through Sunday to identify whether their alarms are involved in this recall. If so, consumers will be sent a postage-paid envelope to return the alarm. Lifesaver models will be repaired, and Nighthawk models will be inspected and tested, and repaired if needed.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, Repair 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 (Inspect, Repair) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
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.