Safety regulator, GE Security, Inc. Announce Recall of Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Recall 04534 · Feb 12, 2004 · GE Security, Inc., (GE Security)
74,000
units affected
74,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 04534
- Date
- Feb 12, 2004
- Company
- GE Security, Inc., (GE Security)
- Units affected
- 74,000
- Product
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms
- Product type
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors/Alarms
- Hazard
- Poisoning
The product
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.
What can happen
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.
The fix
Consumers should contact their system installer or service provider to arrange for the free installation of a replacement CO alarm.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- GE Security has received one report that the CO detector did not operate properly in the presence of CO. No injuries have been reported.
- Sold at
- Distributors, dealers and installers of security systems nationwide, from November 2000 through October 2003, for about $49.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled carbon monoxide (co) alarms?
Consumers should contact their system installer or service provider to arrange for the free installation of a replacement CO alarm.
What is the 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.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.