Consumers should stop using four brands of combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors that are failing to alert users when dangerous levels of smoke or carbon monoxide are present, according to new warnings from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The group’s warnings cover Okeah, Petricor, Varwaneo and Wjztek brand detectors sold on Amazon.com.
CPSC testing shows the Okeah detector failed to alert users when exposed to levels of carbon monoxide and smoke that are part of voluntary safety standards, according to the CPSC warning issued Thursday. The Okeah detector is white plastic and features a digital display. Model YJ-901 was sold on Amazon.com.
The Petricor, Varwaneo and Wjztek brand detectors did not meet the CPSC’s voluntary safety standard for alerting users to a certain concentration of smoke, according to a separate CPSC warning. These detectors also are made of white plastic. The Petricor and Varwaneo models have a digital display. Models MQ-808, ACJ-512COM and KT-X3 were sold on Amazon.
The CPSC is urging consumers to stop using these detectors and purchase new ones that meet the safety standards. It recommends installing combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of a home and outside separate sleeping areas. They should be battery operated or have battery backup and should be tested frequently.
Carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 200 people in the U.S. annually, according to the CPSC. More than 2,390 people die annually from residential structural fires, and most of these deaths are due to smoke inhalation. The risk of dying is twice as high in homes without a working smoke alarm.
Consumers can report injuries or dangerous products to www.SaferProducts.gov.
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