CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms
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 |
Overview
- Recalling FirmUniversal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md.