PlainRecalls

Lifetone Technology Recalls Bedside Fire Alarm and Clocks Due to Failure to Fully Alert Consumers to a Fire

Reported: November 8, 2018 Initiated: November 8, 2018 #19031 About 10,000 units

IDT International Limited, of China issued this CPSC recall on November 8, 2018. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately About 10,000 units are affected. The recall was issued because: The bedside fire alarm and clock can fail to operate and fully alert consumers to a fire.. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #19031) was formally reported on November 8, 2018. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. IDT International Limited, of China is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records indicate About 10,000 units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: The bedside fire alarm and clock can fail to operate and fully alert consumers to a fire. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product if the digital display is not working and contact Lifetone Technology to receive a prepaid label for the return of the alarms and instruct… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 8 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

About 10,000

Related Recalls

6

0 from same agency

Product Description

This recall involves Lifetone HLAC151 Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock with serial numbers ranging from AC160600001 through AC160604102 and AC170100001 through AC170106030 only. The serial number is printed on the left side of the silver sticker on the bottom of the unit. The bedside alarm and clock is an assistive alerting device intended for in-home use by individuals with hearing loss. The alarm detects the T3 emergency signal given by existing smoke alarms. When the T3 signal from a smoke alarm is detected, the alarm signals at a lower frequency, which may be better heard by individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. The alarm also gives spoken emergency signals "FIRE GET OUT" in both English and Spanish. Defective units continue to sound a low frequency emergency audio signal and spoken signal "FIRE GET OUT" in English and Spanish but the optional bed shaker, if attached, will not operate. The white, rectangle clock measures 8.5 inches wide by 4.2 inches high by 4.5 inches wide. The fire alarm and clock has "Lifetone" printed on the front of the unit and a digital display with the date, time and type of emergency. There is a large black dome-shaped microphone on the top left of the alarm.

Reason for Recall

The bedside fire alarm and clock can fail to operate and fully alert consumers to a fire.

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product if the digital display is not working and contact Lifetone Technology to receive a prepaid label for the return of the alarms and instructions on receiving a free replacement alarm.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 19031
Date reported November 8, 2018
Date initiated November 8, 2018
Recalling firm IDT International Limited, of China
Units affected About 10,000
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

About 10,000 units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) ✓ This recall
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves Lifetone HLAC151 Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock with serial numbers ranging from AC160600001 through AC160604102 and AC170100001 through AC170106030 only. The serial number is printed on the left side of the silver sticker on the bottom of the unit. The bedside alarm and clock is an assistive alerting device intended for in-home use by individuals with hearing loss. The alarm detects the T3 emergency signal given by existing smoke alarms. When the T3 signal from a smoke alarm is detected, the alarm signals at a lower frequency, which may be better heard by individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. The alarm also gives spoken emergency signals "FIRE GET OUT" in both English and Spanish. Defective units continue to sound a low frequency emergency audio signal and spoken signal "FIRE GET OUT" in English and Spanish but the optional bed shaker, if attached, will not operate. The white, rectangle clock measures 8.5 inches wide by 4.2 inches high by 4.5 inches wide. The fire alarm and clock has "Lifetone" printed on the front of the unit and a digital display with the date, time and type of emergency. There is a large black dome-shaped microphone on the top left of the alarm.. Recalled by IDT International Limited, of China. Units affected: About 10,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The bedside fire alarm and clock can fail to operate and fully alert consumers to a fire.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product if the digital display is not working and contact Lifetone Technology to receive a prepaid label for the return of the alarms and instructions on receiving a free replacement alarm.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on November 8, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 19031.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (19031) 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.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

Compare this recall with Endo-Model Replacement Plateau; Item Number: 15-0027/11; →

Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).