Health Dept. warns of unsafe smoke, CO detectors in Garrett
The Garrett County Health Department says TJTFJS-brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which federal officials say may not alert in a fire, have been distributed in the county.
Some Garrett County homes may have combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that federal safety officials say may not go off during a fire, and the Garrett County Health Department is urging residents to check.
The Health Department said Oct. 16 that it is aware TJTFJS-brand 2-in-1 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have been distributed within the county. It pointed residents to a warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission telling people to stop using the devices right away.
According to the CPSC, the detectors can fail to alert people to dangerous smoke and fire, which puts them at risk of serious injury or death. The units are white plastic with a digital display and carry model number TJ00907, though the agency said some were sold with no model number on the package. They were sold online through Amazon, Walmart.com, Kmart.com, Sears.com and Desertcart.com, and were made in China.
The CPSC issued its warning on Aug. 20 and said the Chinese seller has not agreed to a recall and has not responded to the agency's requests. Because there is no recall, there is no refund or replacement program from the seller.
The CPSC advises anyone who owns one of the detectors to:
- Stop using it and throw it away. Do not sell it or give it away.
- Install working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and outside each separate sleeping area, using units that run on batteries or have battery backup.
- Test alarms often and replace batteries as needed.
- Buy alarms that meet the UL 217 (smoke) and UL 2034 (carbon monoxide) safety standards.
The Health Department said residents who cannot afford new detectors should contact their local volunteer fire department to ask whether replacement units are available.
Problems with the detectors can be reported to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov or by calling the agency's hotline at 800-638-2772. The Garrett County Health Department can be reached at 301-334-7777.
