January 11, 2016 by Anas Mustafa
A smoke detector is one of the most important things you can have in your home. In fact, these small devices can double your chances of surviving a house fire. On occasion, they can falsely start beeping, which can be alarming for everyone in the household.
However, there are a few quick and easy things you can do if you find your smoke detector going off:
This is the most common reason why your smoke detector is likely beeping. Replace the batteries by gently pulling the cover or by turning it counterclockwise. If your smoke detector still keeps beeping, make sure that the batteries are properly installed as this can cause additional beeping if they aren’t. Remember to go with traditional batteries over rechargeable ones and to replace smoke detector batteries twice a year (every six months).
Dirty smoke detectors are another common cause of unnecessary beeping. Although smoke detectors are typically not in our cleaning rotation, removing any debris, like spiders and dust, can put a quick end to all of the beeping. To do this, use a can of compressed air or the vacuum hose attachment.
The chemical fumes from cleaning products (and even paint or bug spray) can also cause a smoke detector to sound off. If this is the case, open a window and turn on the vent.
An area of the home that is either too hot or too cold due to being located near an oven or furnace, for example, can also cause your smoke detector to go off. In this case, adjust the settings on the thermostat or open a window.
Alternatively, consider moving the smoke detector to a different area of your home if the smoke detector is less than 20 feet away from the oven (cooking smoke can also cause the detector to go off). If burnt food is the problem, open the window and turn on the vent to quickly get rid of the smoke.
Is your smoke detector in a bathroom hall? If so, move it to a different location, as smoke detectors can interpret water vapour from a hot shower as smoke, which can cause a lot of unnecessary beeping.
In certain smoke detectors, particularly hard-wire ones, a tripped circuit breaker can also be a cause for the beeping. Check your panel box for a tripped circuit breaker and then simply reset it.
If your smoke detector goes off regularly, even once a month, this is a good indicator that you need to replace your smoke detector.
Canadian Security Professionals offer a selection of quality alarm systems in Mississauga that will help protect you and your family from the threat of a fire. Contact a professional today to discuss all of your options!
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