Battery Smoke Alarms (Master) – safety issue (1977)

Check Your Product

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Reason for Recall

As stated by CPSC

July 29, 1977 Release # 77-081 WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29)-- Master Lock Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 32,000 "Master" number 2551 battery-operated smoke alarms and number 2553 dual-powered smoke alarms made late in 1975 and during part of 1976. The recalled smoke alarms can be identified by the following range of serial numbers: 1 to 10,000; 17,735 to 20,000 and 2,000,001 to 2,020,000. The serial number is located on the back cover of the smoke alarm under the mounting bracket. Some of the units may fail to alarm when the relative humidity is over 70% in the home because they were inadequately cleansed of soldering flux after initial assembly. Other units may not be sensitive enough to alarm at minimum smoke levels set by industry standards. The company has received one complaint from a consumer who noticed an alarm did not function properly during a routine test. Consumers who own a "Master" smoke alarm with a serial number that falls within the range of 1 to 10,000; 17,735 to 20,000 or 2,000,00l to 2,020,000 are asked to write: Master Lock Company, 2600 N. 32nd Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210, Attention: Department #16, including their name, address, telephone and serial number of the alarm. The company will promptly send the consumer a form detailing full return instructions. The units will either be replaced or corrected, depending on the problem, without cost to the consumer. Consumers who require additional information should write to the company

Recommended Action

Per CPSC guidance

The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the product. Contact the manufacturer or return the product to the place of purchase.