Smoke detector chirping
A smoke detector that chirps every minute or so has a low battery. How to stop the chirp safely.
About 3 minutes · no tools needed
Safety first. A continuous alarm is not a chirp: if the alarm keeps sounding or you smell smoke, leave and call 911.
- 1
Find the chirping detector
Wait for the chirp and stand under each detector. Hallways and bedrooms are the usual places.
- 2
Replace the battery
Twist the detector off its base or open the battery door. Put in a new battery of the same type (often 9-volt or AA). Hard-wired detectors also have a backup battery.
- 3
Press TEST
Hold the test button until it beeps loudly. Then put it back. Never leave a detector off its base.
Stop and contact maintenance if
- · It keeps chirping with a new battery
- · The detector is more than 10 years old (date on the back)
- · You can't reach it safely without a ladder
What to tell them: Tell them which detector chirps and that you replaced the battery.
For property managers
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