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Resident guide

A chirping or beeping alarm

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Chirp vs. alarm

A short chirp every minute or so = low battery or a reminder. A loud, continuous alarm = treat it as real: get everyone out and call 911, then call us. Never ignore a steady alarm.

Find the one that's chirping

Follow the sound to the specific alarm. In a home with several, they can be hard to pin down — stand under each until you catch it chirping.

Replace the battery

Twist the alarm off its base, swap in a fresh 9-volt or AA battery (match what's in there), and twist it back on. Do this even for 'sealed' units by pressing TEST — if it still chirps, the whole unit needs replacing, which is on us.

Press and hold TEST / silence

After a battery change, press and hold the TEST button until it sounds, then stops. This clears the memory chirp that can linger even after a fresh battery.

Still chirping with a new battery?

The unit may be at end of life (most last about 10 years — check the date on the back) or have dust inside. Vacuum it gently. If it keeps chirping, send us a work order and we'll replace it.

  • Never pull the battery and leave it out — a silent alarm can't protect you.
  • Carbon-monoxide alarms especially must always be working.

⚠ Stop and call us if…

A loud, steady alarm — or a CO alarm sounding along with anyone feeling dizzy, nauseous, or headachy — is an emergency. Get everyone outside to fresh air and call 911 first, then call us.

✓ Back up and running?

Quiet again — good. If it starts up again within a few days, the unit's likely done; put in a work order and we'll replace it right away.

Still stuck?

We’ve got it from here.

Tell us which room and whether it's smoke or carbon-monoxide — CO units are a priority for us.