How to Stop a Smoke Alarm From Chirping
If your smoke alarm is emitting a single high-pitched chirp every 30 seconds or so, it’s most likely a sign that the battery is running low and needs to be replaced. Stopping the problem is a simple matter of changing it out. There are, of course, other reasons why your alarm might be chirping:
Proactive alarm maintenance can solve almost all of these issues. Make sure, for example, to clean your device and replace its batteries regularly.
A Checklist for Stopping the Chirping
A number of factors could cause your smoke alarm to chirp, so we’ve prepared a basic list of steps to help you identify and fix the specific problem:
You can shut a unit down temporarily by following our guide to shutting off a smoke alarm.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the maximum life of a smoke alarm is 10 years. If you have a unit older than this, you should definitely replace it. In addition, your detector may need to be replaced if you can’t stop it from chirping or if the test button doesn’t work. Once you’ve said goodbye to the old unit, though, how do you go about picking a new one? Well, when we’re comparing alarms, we look at four factors.
Smoke alarms come with one of three types of sensors.
Smoke alarms may be powered in one of two ways.
Obviously, all fire alarms are designed to detect fires. However, some come with additional features, such as these:
The price of a smoke alarm varies in range depending on the type of alarm you’re looking to purchase. You can buy the cheapest battery-operated alarms for around $10. The most expensive models can cost as much as $65, but they include some of the best smart home devices on the market, like Google’s Nest Protect.
Generally speaking, an average alarm with dual sensors costs around $25. Wired alarms tend to be more expensive, though. Often, an electrician must install them, or you purchase them as part of a larger home security system. As a result, they range from $80 to $120.
TIP: Make your home safer by installing a carbon monoxide detector in addition to a smoke detector. In fact, you can purchase units that include both smoke and CO detection so you’re doubly protected.
Which basic type of smoke alarm is right for you? Let’s talk pros and cons.
Battery-operated smoke alarms are self-contained units that get their power from batteries. These are some advantages of this style of detector:
However, battery-operated detectors have a disadvantage too:
Hardwired alarms often come as part of a complete security package with multiple devices, such as security cameras and window sensors. However, you can also purchase single units that must be wired directly into your home’s electric grid. Alternatively, some detectors can be plugged into wall outlets. These are some advantages of this style of alarm:
However, these detectors have some cons too:
1 “Silent” mode may have been accidentally activated.
Though it sounds counterintuitive, some smoke detectors will actually chirp when they’re in silent mode. There is probably nothing wrong with the device as it is simply reminding a home’s occupants that for the next 15 minutes or so, the device is out of order.
Accidentally activating this mode is less common than it used to be. Older devices often featured separate test and silence buttons, so accidentally pressing the silence button during testing was extremely common. Modern models have all-in-one buttons that prevent smoke alarm beeping from the silent mode setting.Advertisement
Generally speaking, the device will stop chirping after 15 minutes.
FAQ
Why is my smoke alarm beeping every 40 seconds?
How do I get my First Alert smoke detector to stop chirping?
Remove the alarm from your ceiling or wall. Open the cover and take out the battery. Press and hold the test button for 15-30 seconds. This will fully reset the smoke alarm and drain any charge left inside.
Why is my First Alert smoke detector beeping every 30 seconds?
Why does my smoke detector keep chirping even after I change the battery?
