Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported May 25, 2000
Smoke Alarms Recalled by Universal Security Instruments
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Universal Security Instruments recalled Smoke Alarms Recalled by Universal Security Instruments NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Prod… - a moderate-severity action.
Smoke Alarms Recalled by Universal Security Instruments was recalled by Universal Security Instruments in May 25, 2000. Reason: Fire & Fire-Related Burn. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #00115 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Universal Security Instruments issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-Fire & Fire-Related Burn.
- Moderate
- severity level
- May 25, 2000
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #00115 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #00115) was formally reported on May 25, 2000. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Universal Security Instruments is listed as the recalling firm. The number of affected units is not disclosed in the agency filing, which is common for drug and food recalls where lot-level tracking supersedes unit counts.
The documented reason for this recall is: Fire & Fire-Related Burn Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Electronics recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 609 electronics recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
Unknown
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
Smoke Alarms Recalled by Universal Security Instruments NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2000 Release # 00-115 Universal Recall Hotline: (800) 390-4321 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066 CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 34,000 smoke alarms. The smoke alarms can fail to alarm when smoke or fire is present. A capacitor in the alarm can burn out, releasing smoke and melting the cover. Universal has received three reports of alarms failing, releasing smoke. There has been one report of minor smoke damage to the wall of a mobile home. No injuries have been reported. Consumers can identify the recalled models by removing the alarm cover from its base and looking for the manufacture date code and model number. The smoke alarms are made of white plastic and have the manufacture date code and model number imprinted on the back of the alarm. Brand Model Number Description Date Code Safe T Alert SA-785 AC only unit BCSR Universal SS-785 AC unit only BCSR Universal SS-795 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS USI Electric USI-1203 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS Some alarms do not have the brand name printed on the unit. Consumers should look at the model number to determine if it is a recalled alarm. Electrical distributors, housing suppliers, and hardware stores sold these smoke alarms nationwide from April 1998 through June 1999 for between $10 and $15. Most of these smoke alarms were pre-installed in homes during construction. Consumers should call Universal Security Instruments Inc. toll- free at (800) 390-4321 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a free, replacement alarm.
Reason for recall
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 00115 |
| Date reported | May 25, 2000 |
| Date initiated | May 25, 2000 |
| Recalling firm | Universal Security Instruments |
| Affected scope | Not disclosed |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.
- Check the recall number (00115) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
Smoke Alarms Recalled by Universal Security Instruments NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2000 Release # 00-115 Universal Recall Hotline: (800) 390-4321 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066 CPSC, Universal Security Instruments Announce Recall of Smoke Alarms WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Universal Security Instruments Inc., of Owings Mills, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 34,000 smoke alarms. The smoke alarms can fail to alarm when smoke or fire is present. A capacitor in the alarm can burn out, releasing smoke and melting the cover. Universal has received three reports of alarms failing, releasing smoke. There has been one report of minor smoke damage to the wall of a mobile home. No injuries have been reported. Consumers can identify the recalled models by removing the alarm cover from its base and looking for the manufacture date code and model number. The smoke alarms are made of white plastic and have the manufacture date code and model number imprinted on the back of the alarm. Brand Model Number Description Date Code Safe T Alert SA-785 AC only unit BCSR Universal SS-785 AC unit only BCSR Universal SS-795 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS USI Electric USI-1203 AC/DC unit w/ battery backup BESS Some alarms do not have the brand name printed on the unit. Consumers should look at the model number to determine if it is a recalled alarm. Electrical distributors, housing suppliers, and hardware stores sold these smoke alarms nationwide from April 1998 through June 1999 for between $10 and $15. Most of these smoke alarms were pre-installed in homes during construction. Consumers should call Universal Security Instruments Inc. toll- free at (800) 390-4321 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a free, replacement alarm.. Recalled by Universal Security Instruments.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on May 25, 2000. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 00115.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (00115) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
CPSC Moderate
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported May 25, 2000. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.