Watch the Video: Before You Buy a Smoke Alarm or Fire Extinguisher, Watch This. (YouTube)
HARTFORD, CT – The Connecticut State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM), within the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) are warning residents about the growing availability of non-listed fire safety products being sold both online and in retail stores across the state. These products include portable fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms that have not been tested and certified to nationally recognized safety standards.
Fire safety devices are critical life-saving tools. However, non-listed or improperly marked products may fail to perform as intended in an emergency.
“Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms are often the first line of defense in an emergency,” said State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert. “When these devices have not been tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, there is no assurance that they will operate properly when lives depend on them. A device that fails to activate or extinguish a fire can have tragic consequences.”
Under Connecticut law, it is illegal to sell or offer for sale portable fire extinguishers that have not been tested, listed, and rated as satisfactory for their intended purpose by a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the State Fire Marshal. In addition, the Connecticut State Fire Safety Code requires that smoke alarms be listed in accordance with UL 217 and that carbon monoxide alarms be listed in accordance with UL 2034.
What Consumers Should Look For
Consumers are urged to carefully inspect fire safety products before purchasing. Approved devices should:
- Display the official mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, ETL, or FM.
- Have the certification mark clearly printed on the product packaging, the user manual, and on the device itself.
- Not rely solely on marketing claims such as “UL Certified” in an online description. In some cases, only a component may be certified, not the entire device.
- Include clear manufacturer information, model numbers, and compliant labeling.
Non-listed or improperly labeled products may not detect smoke or carbon monoxide, may not sound an alarm within required timeframes, or may fail to extinguish a fire as advertised.
“Consumers should take a moment to carefully examine fire safety products before purchasing them,” said DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman. “Look for the official UL, ETL, or FM listing mark on the packaging and on the device itself. These marks indicate that the product has been independently tested to meet nationally recognized safety standards. Without that verification, there is no guarantee the device will function properly in an emergency — and when it comes to fire safety, reliability can mean the difference between life and death.”
“Whether you are shopping online or in a local store, take the time to verify that these life-saving devices are properly listed,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “If you encounter a fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, or carbon monoxide detector that does not display a recognized testing laboratory mark, or if the claims seem misleading, we urge you to report it to DCP.”
Consumers can file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection online at www.ct.gov/dcp/complaint or by emailing DCP.productsafety@ct.gov. Reporting these products helps protect families across Connecticut.
Residents are also encouraged to check their existing fire safety devices to ensure they display the official mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory; any devices that do not have these markings should be replaced. Investing in properly listed fire safety equipment is one of the simplest and most effective steps people can take to protect their homes and families.
