CPSCGeneral Alert

CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms

Name: CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms
Brand: Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md.
SKU: CPSC-00115
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 1.0 (1 reviews)

Published: May 25, 2000Recall ID: 00115Category: generalCountry: US

Reason for Recall / Hazard

The smoke alarms can fail to alarm when smoke or fire is present. A capacitor in the alarm can burn out, releasing smoke and melting the cover.

Product Description & Identification

Consumers can identify the recalled models by removing the alarm cover from its base and looking for the manufacture date code and model number. The smoke alarms are made of white plastic and have the manufacture date code and model number imprinted on the back of the alarm. Brand Model Number Description Date Code Safe T Alert SA-785 AC only unit BCSR Universal SS-785 AC unit only BCSR Universal SS-795 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS USI Electric USI-1203 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS Some alarms do not have the brand name printed on the unit. Consumers should look at the model number to determine if it is a recalled alarm.

Affected Products

Smoke alarms

Additional Source Details

Field	Value
U R L	https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2000/CPSC-Universal-Security-Instruments-Announce-Recall-of-Smoke-Alarms
Title	CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms
Images › U R L	https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/smoke-alarm.jpg
Images › Caption	Recalled smoke alarm
Hazards › Name	The smoke alarms can fail to alarm when smoke or fire is present. A capacitor in the alarm can burn out, releasing smoke and melting the cover.
Injuries › Name	Universal has received three reports of alarms failing, releasing smoke. There has been one report of minor smoke damage to the wall of a mobile home. No injuries have been reported.
Products › Name	Smoke alarms
Products › Type	Smoke Detectors/Alarms
Products › Category I D	2135
Products › Number Of Units	About 34,000
Recall I D	794
Remedies › Name	Consumers should call Universal Security Instruments Inc. to receive a free replacement alarm.
Retailers › Name	Electrical distributors, housing suppliers, and hardware stores sold these smoke alarms nationwide, from April 1998 through June 1999, for between $10 and $15. Most of these smoke alarms were pre-installed in homes during construction.
Recall Date	2000-05-25T00:00:00
Description	Consumers can identify the recalled models by removing the alarm cover from its base and looking for the manufacture date code and model number. The smoke alarms are made of white plastic and have the manufacture date code and model number imprinted on the back of the alarm. Brand Model Number Description Date Code Safe T Alert SA-785 AC only unit BCSR Universal SS-785 AC unit only BCSR Universal SS-795 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS USI Electric USI-1203 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS Some alarms do not have the brand name printed on the unit. Consumers should look at the model number to determine if it is a recalled alarm.
Recall Number	00115
Manufacturers › Name	Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md.
Consumer Contact	Consumers may call Universal Security Instruments Inc. toll-free at (800) 390-4321 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Last Publish Date	2026-07-01T00:00:00

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Overview

Recalling FirmUniversal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md.

Recall Hazard Severity

Caution (Class III)

Official Agency Alert

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🚨 SAFETY ALERT: Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md. - CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms

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https://therecallfile.com/recalls/cpsc-universal-security-instruments-announce-recall-of-smoke-alarms/CPSC-00115

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CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms