The government has made it compulsory for homes to have smoke alarms, but its also important to remember that they will only be effective if they are regularly checked and maintained. After all a malfunctioning or non-functioning smoke alarm is as good as not having one at all. Beeps from your smoke alarms are usually an indication that they need your attention.

Why is My Smoke Alarm Beeping?

Of course, one reason could be that the property is on fire. But there’s always a possibility that it’s a false alarm. If your smoke detector has a hush button you can use it during these circumstances. Here are a few instances when the alarm may be false.

• A minor incident, such as burnt toast, in the kitchen generates a lot of smoke and the alarm mistakes it for a fire. It is wise to have exhaust fans installed to avoid this.


• The battery of your smoke alarm has reached end of life. It could be an indication to replace it.


• If the smoke detector continues to beep even after battery replacement, it’s time to replace it.

Other Indicators for Your Safety

It is always wise to interconnect smoke alarms for better audibility throughout the property. For the safety conscious, and particularly useful in commercial properties, are smoke alarms that come fitted with emergency exit lights. The light can come in handy to mark the exit when there is an actual fire and the visibility is poor. These are ideal for rooms and passage ways that are more inclined to smoke accumulation. There are also a variety of smoke alarm systems on the market designed for the hearing impaired. These include smoke alarms with strobe light and a vibrating pad.

Get Help Now!

Legislation requires that the more reliable hard-wired smoke alarms are installed by licensed electricians to ensure correct installation.

To remain safe, always ensure that your smoke alarms are in working condition.