You may not think about how well the smoke alarm in your home is helping to keep you safe until that annoying beeping starts, telling you that it’s time to change the batteries. But consider — when ...

Q: I changed the batteries in my smoke detector, but when I tested it afterward nothing happened. The batteries are new, but the smoke detector is very old. I know that it’s hard-wired into my home’s ...

If your smoke alarm keeps waking you up for no reason, here's what's going on -- and the maintenance that can stop it.

A chirping smoke alarm often indicates a low battery. When it happens at night, it could be an environmental issue affecting the device's performance.

When's the last time you tested (or replaced) your smoke detector? Can't remember? Then it sounds like it's time to give it an inspection. While smoke detectors are made to last a full decade, it's ...

Q. How often do I need to replace my hard-wired smoke detectors? And who should I hire to do this? Our 15-year-old system has five detectors. A few are chirping, and it doesn’t stop even when we ...

Q: I changed the batteries in my smoke detector, but when I tested it afterward nothing happened. The batteries are new, but the smoke detector is very old. I know that it’s hard-wired into my home’s ...

However, as smoke alarm companies discovered, temperature plays a big role in how batteries perform. Hotter temps create less ...

When replacing batteries, opt for lithium batteries, which typically last up to 10 years, matching the lifespan of most smoke detectors. It’s essential to check the manufacturing date on the unit. If ...

Throwing smoke detectors away in household trash or recycling poses its own fire hazard, according to the Department of Fire ...