Customer Reviews

First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm - SC01CN3

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

This is a fine product, but when it malfunctions, First Alert is very hard to get a hold of and requires a lot of documentation to certify that it is within warranty. After 8 months, my unit went out (it sounds 3 quick chirps every 30 seconds). For 2 weeks, I have been trying to contact First Alert and either get unavailability or voicemail. Their website does not have a form nor address to send warranty return items (don't use the corporate address---the unit will be returned to you even if you have a letter explaining the problem.)

Update: First Alert replaced our first alarm, after it went bad after only 8 months. As other customers have noted, this alarm releases a lot of false alarms (thank heaven for the Silence button). Then it goes into its "3 chirp" mode, indicating that the alarm needs to be replaced. The first time, BRK Brands was good about sending a new product right away. However, this happened the second time 6 months after it was installed.

Calling them the second time, BRK Brands Customer Service told me to take out the battery, replace it with a new battery, then push the Test button. DIDN'T WORK! Further, they were a little snotty with me calling them the second time. I asked them, "Why don't I just send the unit to you so you can deal with the problem." They wouldn't do it.

First Alert used to stand by their products, but would not depend my family's lives on them or their products. I understand one unit being bad, but not two that have the same problem. Plus, it appears that they are not addressing the quality issues that consumers bring to their attention, as subsequent products still have the same problem.

Features of the unit: 5 stars
Unit itself: 1/2 star
Customer Service for the unit itself: 1/2 a star

This is a great smoke and CO alarm. It seems to be very sensitive to smoke...particularly when I burn toast. However, it has a convenient silencer button. I always change the battery every 6 months and have not had any problems with it.<br /> <br /> The other person who reviewed this didn't think it was loud enough...I think they need a hearing aid.

We have had a lot of trouble with false/"nuisance" smoke alarms with this product. (It was not anywhere near our kitchen, either, but in an upstairs bedroom). I would recommend going with a different brand if you do not want to be repeatedly awakened at night by false alarms!

Garbage. We have 6 smoke alarms in our house. Two of them are First Alert. This one, and another model. The ONLY ones that repeatedly false alarm are the First Alert. This one is the WORST. Randomly, for ZERO reason, it goes off. Usually in the middle of the night. Called Customer Service and they tried to tell us it was because it was near a bathroom with humidity. Yea, right. Moved it downstairs, near NO bathrooms or kitchens and it STILL falses. GARBAGE

Lasted about 6 months before it just started "chirping" abount once a minute. Replaced the battery and it did the same thing. Also one light flashes when it chirps. It took some digging but this means the unit has failed and needs replacing. You would think since it has a "service" light, that light would come on solid if it wasn't working. I was trying to figure out if I had a real problem. Not very intuitive.

I don't know what the person with the one star was talking about but was so wrong. This alarm is very loud. Not only is it loud when it goes off but the light flashes on the one that is going off. I am actually gonna order another one. Best one I had ever since I already had tried several! Its a must to get!

I'm coming back to order these again, after having a set for years. Yes, when the battery is low it chirps...thank God !! A smoke alarm with dead batteries is useless. And I'd certainly rather have a LOUD alarm and know I have a problem than an alarm with a low warning sound I don't hear !! It's been reliable in the past and I feel it's a good monitor.

I have always had first alert smoke alarms and they always worked great and lasted for what seems like forever, in fact, i have never had a smoke alarm die, until now. When I moved into my aparment 10 years ago, my first alert smoke alarm was there already and to this day, it still works. I only changed the alarm because of new laws. A year after I started using this one, it died on me. I was very disappointed in the longevity of the product.

I have had serious problems with false/"nuisance" smoke alarms with this product.

I just bought my second one. The first alarm hangs in our kitchen and does go off with a nice loud alarm when I seriously scorch dinner. It's easy to turn off with the huge button in front. No false alarms here, only goes off when there is smoke nearby.