Smoke Hoods Recalled

Owners of EvacU8 and Evac+ emergency smoke hoods have until June 16 to return them (with proper documentation) to Brookdale International Systems for a partial refund after the company recalled the hoods last week. In a letter to customers, the company said that tests confirmed the hoods, which pilots would theoretically don in the event of an in-flight fire, could fail to work properly and expose the wearer to harmful levels of carbon monoxide. The company had earlier recommended that pilots not use the hoods pending the outcome of tests and the recall was announced when the results came in. The hoods have a shelf life and there will be no refunds for those with an expiration date prior to March of 2006. Refunds for the remainder will be prorated based on the time remaining before each hood’s expiration date (which seems odd if the company is dissuading use of the hoods at any time before their expiration, anyway). The recall also applies to consumer-oriented products that have a similar function. “Our highest priority is the safety of our customers, and the steps we are taking are a demonstration of that commitment,” company president Derrick Russell said in the recall announcement.