Smoke and CO (carbon dioxide) detectors are great safety devices. But occasionally a detector will start “chirping” or worse, sound a non-stop alarm for no reason. Here’s what you can do if this happens to you:

If it’s a battery-powered detector, take out the battery and replace it with a new one. If there’s still a problem, replace the entire smoke or CO detector.

If it’s a hard-wired battery back-up smoke or CO detector then look directly up at the detector and which ever detector is causing the false alarm it will be blinking rapidly red. Remove this detector by twisting it off the ceiling base and unplugging the detector from the wiring harness, next remove the battery from the detector. Replace the detector with the same brand, do not intermix detector brands this may cause false alarms.

Replace your smoke and CO detector batteries every year.
Smoke detectors has a life expectancy of 10 years and CO detectors are 5 years. Manufactures recommend changing your detectors at these intervals, detectors past there life expectancy can become over or under sensitive.

It is recommended that smoke/CO detectors be placed on all levels of homes including each bedroom. Best methods of installation are to have combination smoke/CO detectors hardwired, interconnected and have battery backup. Your electrician will know where the best placement of these detectors should be.