Free smoke alarms distributed by city recalled
Free smoke alarms distributed through the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Program are defective, the city has learned.
Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran will appear at a news conference Friday at 10 a.m. to announce the recall of 18,507 photoelectric smoke alarms issued to low-income families.
"The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department received information from Underwriters Laboratories that photoelectric smoke detectors distributed through ASAP had counterfeit UL labels affixed to the units," Cochran said in a statement. "Upon confirming that the labels were counterfeit, UL acknowledged that the units may not have been properly certified and should be removed from service."
The city purchased the alarms from Silver Sails, Inc., a vendor based in Calabasas, Calif., in late 2005 and early 2006. The FBI is investigating and the city, according to Cochran, is "examining all available legal options."
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
