Most people never give a second thought to the alarms installed in their home—until the moment they need them most.

But what happens when that moment comes, and the device designed to save your life doesn’t respond?

A quiet but serious recall is now affecting tens of thousands of homes across the country.

And the issue? A failure to detect the very threats that these devices were made to protect you from.



Roughly 50,000 combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are being recalled due to a serious malfunction that may prevent them from alerting you to fire or dangerous gas. The Apollo America Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors, model number 51000-600, were sold between June and October 2024. The recall was formally announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

According to the CPSC, these units can fail to alert consumers to a fire or a carbon monoxide leak.

That kind of failure could have deadly consequences, especially since carbon monoxide is both odorless and invisible. These devices were sold exclusively by Vivint through their website and also offered during door-to-door or telephone sales. Each unit sold for anywhere between $50 and $100.



The malfunction isn't just about a delayed beep or flickering light. It's about total failure to respond during life-threatening emergencies.

While no injuries have been reported at the time of writing, the potential danger is high.

How to check if your home is affected​

Here’s what to look for right now:

• The unit’s back panel should list model number 51000-600
• Check the "replace by" date—affected units fall between 2034/June and 2034/October
• These were only sold by Vivint, either online or through their sales representatives

If your detector matches any of these conditions, it may be part of the recall.

What to do if you own one of these units​

Don’t ignore this.

Here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Remove the unit from its mount and check the back for the model number and expiration date.
2. If it matches the recall criteria, contact Vivint for a free replacement.
   • Call: 800-281-9667 (toll-free)
   • Email: [email protected]
   • Online: Visit the Vivint recall website for detailed guidance

Until you receive your replacement, consider using a backup alarm or picking up a temporary unit from a nearby hardware store.

Why this matters—especially for older adults​

A faulty alarm is dangerous in any home, but the risks increase for seniors. Older adults may have reduced smell sensitivity and may not wake as easily during emergencies.

Product recalls may feel alarming, but they are also part of a functioning safety system.

Manufacturers and agencies like the CPSC track performance and remove defective products before they lead to tragedy. Stay informed by checking your alarms regularly and signing up for recall alerts.

Read next:

• Over 300,000 smoke alarms recalled for safety risk
• Protect yourself on your next trip: What you need to know about carbon monoxide detectors

Have you experienced a product recall before? Was the process smooth or frustrating? Do you have advice to share on staying prepared for emergencies at home? Let us know in the comments—your experience might help someone else avoid a dangerous situation.