Smoke & CO Alarm Recalls in Canada: Is Yours Affected?
Most smoke alarms are never recalled, but a few older Kidde models that I still find on Lower Mainland ceilings were. Here is what was recalled, how to read the date code on yours, and what to do. Recalled or not, every alarm needs replacing 10 years after the date on the back.
Kidde hardwired smoke and smoke/CO alarms (2014, expanded 2015)
After a power outage, affected alarms could get stuck in a mode where they would not sound for smoke or carbon monoxide. Health Canada and Kidde listed these Canadian models and date codes:
| Model | Affected date codes |
|---|---|
| i12010S-CA (hardwired smoke) | 2014-03-11 to 2014-05-13 |
| i12010S-CO-CA (hardwired smoke/CO combo) | 2014-03-14 to 2014-05-13, plus the June 6, 2014 date code added in August 2015 |
| KN-COSM-IBACA (hardwired smoke/CO combo) | 2013-11-19 to 2014-05-13 |
What to do: contact Kidde Canada for a free replacement and keep the alarm up until the new one is in. These alarms are now past their 10-year life, so in practice they need replacing either way. Health Canada notice.
Kidde dual-sensor smoke alarms PI2010CA and PI9010CA (2018)
A yellow cap left inside during manufacturing could cover one of the smoke sensors, so the alarm might not detect smoke. Affected units were made between 2016-09-10 and 2017-10-13. They have a pill-shaped front, and the yellow cap can be seen through the side opening.
What to do: contact Kidde for a free replacement and remove the old alarm only once the new one is installed. Health Canada notice.
Kidde Nighthawk talking smoke/CO combos (2016)
Kidde also recalled talking combination alarms from its Nighthawk line: models KN-COSM-IBCA and KN-COSM-ICA made June 1, 2004 to March 2011. Near the end of their 7-year life they may stop chirping after a battery change or power cycle. Stop using them and contact Kidde Canada (1-855-239-0490) for a free replacement or discount. See the Health Canada notice.
What about BRK / First Alert?
BRK / First Alert says it has had no smoke alarm recalls in the past decade. The common older BRK models in BC homes (9120B, 9120LBL, SC9120B, 7010B, SC7010B) are not under recall, but many are now past 10 years and some have no end-of-life warning at all, so check the date on the back.
The alarms I install today
None of the models I install (Kidde 30CUA10-VCA, 30CUD10-CA, 20SA10-CA, 20SD10-CA and 900-0235, and BRK / First Alert SM6W10A and SC6W10A) has a Health Canada recall as of November 2026. I check before every install.