Either way, the thing starts chirping a few months later.
Even if your smoke alarm is attached to your electrical system, it should have a battery backup.
When that battery is getting low, the alarm chirps to let you know.
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Do not call 911 because your battery is low.
It’s important not to ignore the chirping; that’s why it’s so annoying.
So when the chirping starts, pick up a battery at the store and swap it out.
If you don’t know why the alarm is beeping continuously, get out and call 911.
Carbon monoxidealarms are a little different than smoke alarms.
When a carbon monoxide alarm starts beeping, there’s nothing to see.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly.
It’s important to call 911 for a beeping carbon monoxide alarm, just not a chirping one.
If either kind of alarm starts beeping continuously, it’s time to get out of the house.
What to Do When
To avoid this problem entirely, change your alarm batteries once a year.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends you change batteries when you change your clocks in the fall.
First Alert.6 things to know about carbon monoxide alarms.
Home Depot.How to change smoke alarm batteries.
ADT.What you oughta know about carbon monoxide.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.It’s time.
Check and change your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries.