First Alert carbon monoxide alarms

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jun 26, 2024 · , sent to the company Jul 9, 2024 · , published by CPSC Jul 24, 2024

   The product, in the report: First Alert Model C0400 Battery operated carbon monoxide alarm with silence feature

   I recently bought a First Alert C0400 battery operated carbon monoxide detector. It was difficult to open the battery case and install the 9 volt battery but after a few minutes I was successful without breaking the plastic door. After mounting the detector on the bedroom wall, I pushed the test button. There was no response from the unit.

   Model

   C0400

   UPC

   2905401830

   Serial number

   3055574

   Bought from

   Walmart, Florida

   Bought

   Jun 24, 2024

   Where

   Ponte Vedra, Florida: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

2. No one hurt

   Made Dec 19, 2020 · , sent to the company Jan 13, 2021 · , published by CPSC Jan 29, 2021

   The product, in the report: First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm Model# Co606. Has a plug built in and a housing for a 9v battery as backup. Case is white. I bought it off Amazon here “https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ND74XA/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1”

   My First Alert carbon monoxide alarm started to overheat to the point it was giving off burnt plastic smell before I found it and unplugged it. The plastic case was around 140 degrees roughly five minutes after unplugging it according to my [REDACTED] and shows signs warped plastic. I firmly believe that it would have been a fire hazard if I didn’t find it in time.

   Model

   Co606

   UPC

   no serial

   Serial number

   no known serial number

   Bought from

   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ND74XA/ref=p

   Bought

   Aug 21, 2018

   Where

   Emporia, Kansas: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 34, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

3. No one hurt

   Made Mar 5, 2018 · , sent to the company Jun 12, 2018 · , published by CPSC Jun 26, 2018

   The product, in the report: First Alert Model No. C)1210

   First Alert Model No. CO1210 PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE - this is the second unit that stopped working well within the 10 year advertised life span. Each unit started chirping indicating “End of Life” the first unit failed before the new year and the second failed this past weekend - during a major power outage resulting from a major wind storm. I contacted the company on the first unit and they shipped me a replacement at no cost. However a manufacturing defect may exist that has not been brought to the attention of their customers. Both units were purchased from COSTCO and had a date stamp of “2015 Nov 03” (well short of the 10 year life - that consumers depend on and pay a premium for). Failure of the product is a safety issue and requires further investigation and notification to the buying public. I have contacted First Alert and am waiting for further instruction on what to do with this item. I do not want to return it to COSTCO for a refund since this appears to be an inherent defect that requires further investigation rather than a simple replacement.

   Model

   CO1210

   Bought from

   COSTCO, Virginia

   Bought

   Jan 4, 2016, about then

   Where

   Burke, Virginia: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

4. No one hurt

   Made Jan 6, 2018 · , sent to the company Apr 13, 2018 · , published by CPSC Apr 27, 2018

   The product, in the report: first alert carbon monoxide detector model CO1210

   I own 3 First alert CO detectors model CO1210 all of which were purchased in 2015 with 10 year batteries. with in 2 weeks all went bad showing end of life. I contacted the company and they are replaced, I am concerned case it appears that they have an issue with this model cause there is no reason for that many to go bad that quick and that close in time frame.

   Model

   CO1210

   Bought from

   Home Deport

   Bought

   Nov 1, 2015, about then

   Where

   Patchogue, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand first alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

5. No one hurt

   Made Jun 5, 2017 · , sent to the company Aug 10, 2017 · , published by CPSC Aug 24, 2017

   The product, in the report: 120 volt plug-in First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm rectangular in shape with three LED lights on the left side of the front panel and a test button just above the small lights.

   I have had a 120 volt First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm in my 40 foot diesel motorcoach for several years as a backup for a similar battery operated product. I keep it in the coach to provide a margin of safety when I am operating a permanent propane powered Onan Generator on board. The model number for the Alarm is FCD2N and the serial Number is A549265. The order replacement for the Alarm is “B”.

   This week while the motorcoach was in the Parliament Motorcoach facility in Clearwater, Florida for maintenance, the Alarm suddenly started smoking on the wall next to the stove while workers were coming in and out of the unit. They grabbed the unit and tossed it out the door and could only pick it up when the electrical board inside had finally cooled. The heat was so intense that a small section of the rectangular plastic box was melted....but otherwise there was not indication of any problems, like at the electrical plug on the wall or the electrical prongs on the device. An electrician quickly checked the wall plug for problems and found nothing.

   Model

   FCD2N

   UPC

   ?

   Serial number

   A549265

   Bought from

   Lowes or Home Depot

   Where

   Clearwater, Florida: Other

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

6. Not said

   Made Jun 8, 2015 · , sent to the company Jun 16, 2015 · , published by CPSC Jun 30, 2015

   The product, in the report: Carbon monoxide alarm.

   The First Alert carbon monoxide alarm shorted out across the two blades that plug into the outlet, almost like a metal rod was dropped across it. It kicked the breaker, turned the outlet and the back of the alarm black. The power adapter model number is UP-1AD-12-A, the number that is stamped on the back of the unit is 30801

   Model

   UP-1AD-12-A

   Serial number

   30801

   Where

   Unspecified: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Unspecified

7. No one hurt

   Made Dec 31, 2014 · , sent to the company Jan 22, 2015 · , published by CPSC Feb 5, 2015

   The product, in the report: AC Powered CO detector.

   First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm Model CO606

   Attached power module (UNI-SAN New Dynamic Electron CO Model UP-IAD-12A)

   Power model is physically attached and converts AC to DC/12V. Module became overheated, plastic case holding AC power leads melted.

   Fire hazzard.

   Model

   CO606

   Serial number

   305574

   Bought from

   Retailer (Unknown)

   Where

   San Diego, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

8. No one hurt

   Made Oct 12, 2014 · , sent to the company Oct 21, 2014 · , published by CPSC Nov 4, 2014

   The product, in the report: First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm, model number CO400

   I purchased a First Alert brand carbon monoxide detector from Sears, model number CO400. When I tried to install the battery, I found the terminals to be too deeply recessed into the case to make full contact with the battery, and unable to clip to the 9-volt battery in the normal fashion. The battery door closes and gives the impression that contact is made, but the battery rattles in its housing and does not stay in contact with the terminals. I find this to be an egregious failure on the part of the manufacturer, as it appears to be a design flaw instead of a manufacturing defect. I think they need to recall this product.

   Model

   CO400

   UPC

   02905400069

   Bought from

   Sears

   Bought

   Oct 11, 2014

   Where

   Missoula, Montana: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

9. Seen by a doctor or nurse

   Made Apr 28, 2014 · , sent to the company May 13, 2014 · , published by CPSC May 28, 2014

   The product, in the report: First Alert carbon monoxide

   To Whom It May Concern: I am writing this letter to you today to notify you of an almost tragic incident that happened in my home on December 12,2013. I did notify Consumer Reports and they suggested I also send you a copy to be aware of what happened. The Office of the Attorney General was also sent a copy of this letter.

   On that date, I was awoken at 6:15am by my alarm clock. When I got up and then went into my kitchen I heard something talking. I went upstairs where there is no bedrooms only a family room to hear our [REDACTED] smoke/carbon monoxide detector warning of carbon monoxide. I was very puzzled on why it was going off and no other ones were in our home considering we have 5 carbon monoxide detectors in our home in our living area. I figured it was a false alarm so I took another [REDACTED] carbon monoxide detector that was located in the same area and put it where the one going off was and there was nothing so I preceded to go back downstairs and about 2 minutes later that one started to go off. Now I am thinking it is not a false alarm. I called 911 immediately and got the family out. We have 2 first alert carbon monoxide detectors near our bedrooms right outside of our basement door and 1 going up to the family room that never went off and then 2 [REDACTED] detectors in the family room that did go off which is the farthest point from the carbon monoxide problem.

   When the fire department got there I explained what happened. They immediately went into the home down to our basement where our woodstove is. We only burn about 10 times a year if that because our primary source of heat is our pellet stove and electric heat. They were baffled on what went wrong because our stove, stovepipe, etc ... was perfect. We even bad the code enforcement officer there and a certified chimney inspector and they also do not know what happened. To this day, we still do not know what happened but as a parent I will never feel safe if our home again. This is the only place that I can keep my family safe and I was not able to do that.

   The fire department found that we had lethal levels of carbon monoxide in our home. Our basement was 170, our first flour was 90 with 3 first alert carbon detectors that did not go off, and our second flour was 80 where the 2 [REDACTED] detectors went off.

   We sleep with our bedroom door open due to our dogs that sleep in their but our boys rooms doors are open about 1/2 inch. When rescue got there they checked all of our carbon monoxide levels. My husband and myself were a leve 2. Our 15-year-old son was a 2 but our youngest son who is 11 was a level 9!!!! I asked rescue right away why he is a 9 and why and what does that mean? They said a 9 usually you are going into unconscious state and 12 usually means death. Right away they put him on oxygen for 1-1/2 hours to bring his levels down. Rescue remained outside of our home to do this. They said because he is so much smaller that he absorbed it faster and they breath faster being younger. My 11 year old and 15 year olds bedrooms are right next to each other. About 3 feet apart so I was baffled on how 1 son was so much higher than the other.

   The same day I contacted Frist Alert to tell them of the issue. They took my information. They asked if I changed the batteries which I did on December 1st, 2013. I am very faithful on changing the batteries 2 times a year and I test them after I do this and also throughout the year. They offered to send me new detectors but I declined that offer. How could I put first alert into my home again when it failed when I needed them the most? Like I said earlier, it is the only place I can keep my family safe and thought I had control of it. I then contacted [REDACTED] to thank them for saving my families life. If it was not for them this could have been catastrophic to my family. A few days later I had a very nice man contact me from [REDACTED] and told me he was happy to hear that there alarms saved my families life. They thanked me for contacting them and they said they would like to offer to help us out and replace it with some of theirs. I thought that was very generous. They sent us a variation of 5 new ones. I still did not feel safe with this so I went out and purchased more. We now have 11 carbon monoxide detectors and 18 smoke detectors. You are probably thinking overkill but who would of thought having 5 carbon monoxide detectors would not be enough or for that matter having a brand that I can no longer trust and never will !!!! My home is only 1250 square feet so we had more than enough we thought for protection.

   You might be wondering why I am just writing this letter. I should of done it awhile ago but it has been very hard for myself to get over this almost tragedy. I have had a lot of problems with stress, anxiety and sleeping problems. I cried for many days and still do at times thinking how thankful I am for my sons guardian angel that day. I cannot tell you what it feels like to be a mom and almost loss her son. My family is my world and I depended on First Alert to keep my family safe and it did not. [REDACTED] is the one I can count on. I am now doing better with each day but will never feel like safe in my home like I use to. We still use our pellet stove so the fear will always be there.

   What my goal is to bring you aware of the issue with first alerts model that I feel needs to be recalled being model #SC05. These were new detectors that were purchased recently within the last 2 years but had older dates on them. You do not know the dates until you get home to open the packages. Also, the public was just made aware of the dates recently with the news. I feel all dates should be on the outside of the packages like batteries have them. You should not have to get home to see the dates. I would like that to also be considered in the future on all fire/carbon monoxide detectors.

   The models of carbon monoxide that did not go off are listed below. One of them was an older model and 2 of them were the newer ones with the same model. They are listed below.

   7/21/2008- #3055574, Model #SCOS, Made in Mexico N04-3073-049

   1/6/2011- #3055574, Model #SCOS, Made in Mexico N04-3073-054

   Model #FCD3, Issue # A TS83285, Made in Mexico N04-3018-002

   I am asking that you please check into this matter. The model # that concerns me is the SC05. The model FCD3 is an older model. I hope if anything good comes out of this almost tragedy is that other families will never have to go through what we have had to. I will unfortunately always live in fear as a result of this incident. How many other detectors out there are not providing the safety that we put our trust into.

   I look forward to hearing back from you and what you are able to do for the families that put trust into First Alert. Thank you for your time and consideration into this matter.

   Sincerely

   Model

   model # SC05 /#3055574

   Bought

   Jul 21, 2008, about then

   Where

   Unspecified: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 11, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   My Child

   As this report names them

   Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Seen by Medical Professional

10. No one hurt

    Made Nov 25, 2013 · , sent to the company Dec 4, 2013 · , published by CPSC Dec 18, 2013

    The product, in the report: First Alert CO400 carbon monoxide alarm

    I purchased a First Alert model CO400 Carbon monoxide detector Lowes. After installing the battery I noticed that it only functioned if the detector was turned on its side. If the detector was in the upright mountable position the test would not work and the alarm would fail to sound. This is due to the fact that the alarm is designed such that the battery does not make proper contact with the battery leads in the battery compartment unless the alarm is turned on its side. Therefore, under normal circumstances the alarm will not be receiving power from the battery and will not be functioning even when the homeowner assumes it is. As there is no LED to indicate that the detector is functioning the homeowner will not be aware of the problem.

    Model

    CO400

    Bought from

    Lowes

    Bought

    Nov 24, 2013

    Where

    Austin, Texas: Home/Apartment/Condominium

    Who was involved

    Unknown

    The reporter’s relation to them

    Unspecified

    As this report names them

    Brand First Alert, made or sold by BRK Brands, Inc

    How badly, in CPSC’s words

    Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources