CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: Take Immediate Action on Smoke Detector Recall
3/23/2018
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis calls on fire departments, local state fire marshals, fire prevention advocates and Florida realtors to take immediate action to raise awareness of a national recall on approximately 450,000 smoke detectors that may not detect smoke.
Please see below an open letter from CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis.
March 23, 2018
Open Letter on Kidde Smoke Alarm Recall
To:
Department of Financial Services Division of State Fire Marshal Staff
Florida Fire Marshals and Fire Departments
Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association
All Florida Fire Prevention Advocates and Organizations
All Florida Realtors
Florida Apartment Association
Florida Fire Marshals and Fire Departments
Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association
All Florida Fire Prevention Advocates and Organizations
All Florida Realtors
Florida Apartment Association
A nationwide recall on roughly 450,000 Kidde smoke detectors was announced by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to the CPSC, models PI2010 and PI9010 of Kidde dual sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms have a yellow cap that can cover one of the two smoke sensors and compromise the smoke alarm’s ability to detect smoke.
This poses an immediate and dangerous risk for Floridians as properly functioning smoke alarms are a life-saving tool from the dangers of fire-related incidents and smoke inhalation. In 2016, more than 14,000 accidental structure fires were reported to the Florida Fire Incident Reporting System which resulted in 201 civilian fatalities. I advise all fire prevention advocates across our state to immediately spread awareness of this recall.
My Division of State Fire Marshal Bureau of Fire Prevention oversees the inspection of all State buildings. As such, I have directed my Division to ensure that the appropriate agency heads are notified of the recall so a change can be made immediately if needed.
To our local and county fire marshals, and fire prevention advocates, I urge supervisors and command staff to engage in aggressive public outreach efforts to notify Florida residents and businesses of this recall as soon as possible if they haven’t already.
Realtors have a tremendous network in their communities, so I ask that the Florida realtor community reach out to their clients to make sure homeowners have the needed information on this recall.
We strongly encourage everyone in our state to spread awareness on this recall and advise members of our communities to do the following:
-Remove any smoke alarms from the wall/ceiling and visually inspect it through the opening on the side of the alarm for the presence of a yellow cap.
-Floridians should not attempt to take apart the alarm, open the casing, or remove the yellow cap.
-If a yellow cap is present, Floridians should immediately contact Kidde. They can replace it with a properly functioning smoke alarm.
For additional details surrounding the Kidde smoke alarm recall, please visit www.CPSC.gov and Kidde today and take immediate action to help protect your family, friends and neighbors. Your efforts just may make the difference between life or death for members of our communities.
Thank you for your time and service in this important matter.
REMINDER: Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries should be changed at least once a year.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Patronis
Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal
Jimmy Patronis
Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal