A yellow cap left on during the manufacturing process is behind the recall that’s just been issued of more than 450,000 smoke alarms due to the risk of their not working in the event of a fire.

What you need to check

If you have a Kidde dual-sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms – models PI2010 and PI9010, you need to remove the alarm from the wall/ceiling and visually inspect it through the opening on the side of the alarm for the presence of a yellow cap. If a yellow cap is present, immediately contact Kidde to receive instructions and request a free replacement smoke alarm. If there’s no yellow cap, you can reinstall the smoke alarm and no further action is needed.

Do NOT attempt to take apart the alarm, open the casing, or otherwise remove the yellow cap yourself.

Why you need to check

That yellow cap can cover one of the two smoke sensors and compromise the smoke alarm’s ability to detect smoke, posing a risk of consumers not being alerted to a fire in their home.

Incidents/Injuries:

Fortunately, the problem was found before any injuries or incidents occurred. The firm did receive one report of the yellow protective cap being present on a smoke alarm before it was installed in a consumer’s home.

Where you may have purchased it:

Menards, The Home Depot, Walmart and other department, home and hardware stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other websites from September 2016 through January 2018 for between $20 and $40.

The smoke detectors were manufactured in Hong Kong and imported and distributed by the Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Company Inc., of Mebane, N.C.