180,000 smoke alarms recalled because they may not work

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Universal Security Instruments is recalling 180,000 smoke alarms that may not sound an alarm because of a faulty switch.

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The recall, issued Wednesday, is specifically for 10-year battery-operated ionization smoke and fire alarms with model numbers MI3050S and MI3050SB and with date codes between 2015JAN19 through 2016JUL11, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The alarms are white, 5 1/2 inches in diameter and have "Universal" and "Smoke & Fire Alarm" printed on the front. They were sold online through specialty wholesalers and others from July 2015 to December 2016.

Anyone who has this alarm should immediately determine if the alarm works by pressing the test button. If the alarm sounds, then no further action is required.

If the smoke alarm doesn't work, should contact Universal Security for a replacement. The company can be reached at 877-612-6955 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.UniversalSecurity.com.

Universal Security has so far received 134 reports of the alarms not working, the CPSC said.

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