We like to think that the safety products in our homes — like alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers — are designed to do exactly that: keep us safe. We expect them to do their job without us having to think about them, except when it’s time for a test and inspection.

But just like any other product, safety equipment can have glitches and defects. That’s exactly what’s wrong with almost half a million Kidde brand smoke detectors sold in the U.S. and Canada, online and in stores. Kidde issued a recall on two models of smoke alarms (PI2010 and PI9010), manufactured between September 10, 2016 and October 13, 2017.

So what’s wrong with these models? Basically, there’s a cap covering one of the sensors on the device. In the event of a fire, the device would be unable to detect the smoke and sound the alarm. In other words, the device just  won’t work. That won’t buy you peace of mind!

Kidde manufactures a full line of home safety products, from smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to fire extinguishers, but this recall only impacts those particular models. If you aren’t sure if your Kidde smoke alarm is covered by the recall, take a look at the label on the back of the device, where you can find the model number and manufacture date.

If it turns out you do have a model PI2010 or PI9010 smoke alarm, Kidde says to go ahead and contact them for instructions on how to receive a replacement. Only those two models, and only alarms manufactured between the specified dates, are subject to the recall. To get in touch with Kidde:

• You can call Kidde toll-free at 833-551-7739 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• You can also go online at www.kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Recall” for instructions.

It’s definitely scary to think that a safety product you’ve purchased may not actually be protecting your home! If you look over Kidde’s Facebook and Twitter pages, you’ll see comments from some customers angry about the recall and the way the company is handling it.

One says “I seriously doubt I’ll ever buy another one of your products after this third recall this year!” It’s true that Kidde issued a recall on some of its fire extinguishers not so long ago, and there have been others in the past. Then again, Kidde has been good about responding to customer concerns online. “We completely understand your concerns and hope to one day regain your trust,” Kidde wrote to this same Twitter user.

Kidde has also worked hard to make sure that this recall made its way to people quickly. They worked with the government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue what’s called a Fast Track Recall. This helps ensure that consumers are protected and the situation can be remedied immediately.

Luckily, Kidde says that “No reports of incidents or injuries as a result of a yellow cap being present have been reported,” and hopefully their quick action will keep things that way. If you have a Kidde smoke detector, check out the video below for some helpful information. It shows the exact models covered by the recall, and how to find the model number and manufacture date. What do you think about this latest recall?