If you own a Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff device, you may want to check if you also have a battery back-up accessory that could pose a fire hazard. Moen, the manufacturer of the Flo device, has issued a voluntary recall of about 10,000 lithium-ion battery back-ups that can overheat and catch fire.
The Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff is a device that connects to your home’s main water supply line and monitors water pressure, temperature and flow. It can alert you to leaks, freezing pipes, high water usage and other issues via a smartphone app. It can also automatically shut off the water supply in case of an emergency.
The battery back-up accessory was sold separately as an optional add-on that could extend some features of the Flo device in the event of a power outage. It is a dark gray rectangular battery with the FLO logo printed on the lower right-hand side and model number 920-001 on the lower left-hand side.
According to Moen, there have been three reports of backup batteries that have overheated and caught fire. No injuries have been reported, but minor property damage has been reported. The recall affects about 10,000 units sold in the U.S. and about 14 units sold in Canada from August 2019 through November 2022 for about $250 for the battery.
If you have one of these recalled battery back-ups, you should immediately unplug and stop using it and contact Moen for instructions to disable it before disposing of it in accordance with applicable laws for the disposal of lithium-ion batteries. You can call Moen toll-free at 844-633-8356 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit https://www.moen.com/product-safety-recalls/flo-lithium-ion-battery-backup-model-920-001 or https://www.moen.com and click on “Product Safety Recalls” for more information.
You can also find more details about the recall on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Moen-Recalls-Flo-Battery-Back-Ups-for-Flo-Smart-Water-Monitors-Due-to-Fire-Hazard.
Moen says that the recall does not affect the functionality of the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff device itself, which can still operate without the battery back-up accessory. The company also says that it is working on a new battery back-up solution that will be available in the future.
If you are concerned about water damage in your home, you may want to consider installing a smart water monitor and shutoff device like the Flo or other similar products on the market. These devices can help you prevent costly repairs and protect your property from water-related disasters. However, as with any electronic device, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions and check for any recalls or updates regularly.
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