Carbon monoxide alarms ‘failed tests’

Dozens of potentially deadly carbon monoxide alarms have been removed from sale after an investigation found they failed safety tests.

Which? tested four alarms that were on sale on Amazon and Ebay. The models consistently failed to sound when the gas was present in the air, making them potentially lethal in the event of a carbon monoxide build up in the home.

All four of the alarms test- ed - including three unbranded and one made by Topolek - claimed to meet the British safety standard for detecting carbon monoxide.

Following the results of testing and pressure from Which?, Amazon and Ebay have removed the alarms from sale. The companies have also de-listed another 50 lookalike alarms that Which? believes to be identical to the three unbranded alarms and equally as dangerous as those which failed the tests.

Alex Neill, Which? managing director of home products and services, said: “It’s extremely concerning that these unsafe alarms were being sold by major retailers, and anyone who has one of these alarms should replace it straight away.”

He added: “When household names such as Amazon and Ebay are selling products that could put consumers at risk, it is clear more must be done by businesses and the Government to proactively identify potentially dangerous products.”