Three combination smoke and CO detectors to avoid

A combination smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the home can alert you to the presence of hazardous smoke and gas -- if it works.

If it doesn't, the consequences can be fatal.

On the heels of a recent warning about the failure of such devices to operate properly, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is adding another three brands to its “do not use” list.

The agency says Petricor, Varwaneo and Wjztek detectors can fail to alert consumers to the presence of hazardous smoke.

CPSC performed sensitivity tests on the three brands and found that they failed to alert when exposed to pre-determined concentrations of smoke in violation of UL 217, a voluntary safety standard.

Most deaths in residential fires are due to smoke inhalation, rather than heat and flames. There may be as little as one or two minutes to escape after the smoke alarm sounds before the conditions in the home become incapacitating or deadly.

According to CPSC, more than 2,390 people in the U.S. die every year from residential structure fires. In fact, people in homes without a working smoke alarm are twice as likely to die as those whose homes are equipped with detectors.

The combination detectors in question are made of white plastic, with approximate dimensions of 4 x 1.5 x 4 inches.

The Petricor and Varwaneo models feature a digital display, and the Petricor and Wjztek models have a label on the back containing the model number.

The combination detectors are advertised to detect dangerous levels of smoke or carbon monoxide and alert with a flashing red LED and a loud alarm pattern.

Model No. MQ-808 was sold under the Amazon ASIN B09DPPFJZJ; and Model No. ACJ-512COM was sold under the Amazon ASIN B0928QZ21C; and Model No. KT-X3 was sold under the Amazon ASIN B07QVC2722 and B07M8LR9M7.

The combination devices were sold on Amazon.com for between $15 and $53.

The combination smoke and CO detectors, which should be battery operated or have battery backup, should be installed on each level of the home and outside separate sleeping areas. They should be tested frequently with batteries replaced as needed.

Consumers should stop using the combination smoke and CO detectors, dispose of them immediately and install new, working CO detectors.

Take a Home Warranty Quiz. Get matched with an Authorized Partner.

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years, Jim Limbach covers the federal agencies for ConsumerAffairs. Previously, he was a reporter and news anchor for Associated Press Broadcast Services, where he covered business and consumer news as well as space shots and other major spot news events.

Get the news you need delivered right to you.

Thanks for subscribing.

You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.

Summer has arrived with opportunities for fun -- and danger

As water purity issues grow, water filters appear to be improving

CPSC identifies another faulty CO/smoke detector

Carbon monoxide fatalities are on the rise, CPSC says

Universal Security recalls smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Kidde recalls smoke and combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms

We’ll start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.