Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? What does it all mean? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family! Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and knows how to respond. Learn the sounds of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by checking the user guide or search the brand and model online.
What is your alarm telling you?
SMOKE ALARMS
• A continued set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
• A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
• All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
• Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS
• A continuous set of four loud beeps—beep, beep, beep, beep—means carbon monoxide is present in your home. Go outside, call 9-1-1 and stay out.
• A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced.
• CO alarms also have “end of life” sounds that vary by manufacturer. This means it’s time to get a new CO alarm.
• Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of everyone in your home, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Some tips:
✔ Install a bedside alert device that responds to the sound of the smoke and CO alarms. Use of a low frequency alarm can also wake a sleeping person with mild to severe hearing loss.
✔ Sleep with your mobility device, glasses, and phone close to your bed.
✔ Keep pathways like hallways lit with night lights and free from clutter to make sure everyone can get out safely.
Your Family’s Home Safety Action Plan
ACTION #1
Make the first Saturday of each month “Smoke Alarm Saturday”!
A working smoke alarm will clue you in that there is a fire and you need to escape. Fire moves fast. You and your family could have only minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds.
• Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Test all of your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. If it makes a loud beep, beep, beep sound, you know it’s working. If there is no sound or the sound is low, it’s time to replace the battery. If the smoke alarm is older than 10 years old, you need to replace the whole unit.
• If your smoke alarm makes a “chirp,” that means it needs a new battery. Change the battery right away.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the alarm and what to do when it sounds. (See ACTION #2.)
ACTION #2
Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year!
Having a home fire escape plan will make sure everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds so they can get out safely.
• Draw a map of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
• Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure they are part of the plan.
• Make sure all escape routes are clear and that doors and windows open easily.
• Pick an outside meeting place (something permanent like a neighbor’s house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) that is a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet.
• Everyone in the home should know the fire department’s emergency number and how to call once they are safely outside.
• Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice day and nighttime home fire drills. Share your home escape plans with overnight guests.
REMEMBER:
When You Hear a Beep, Get On Your Feet!
Get out and stay out. Call 9-1-1 from your outside meeting place.
Hear a Chirp, Make a Change!
A chirping alarm needs attention. Replace the batteries or the entire alarm if it is older than 10 years old. If you don’t remember how old it is, replace it.