Smoke detectors installed in your home usually communicate their functionalities with blinking lights and sounds. So, it is important to understand the reason behind every indication. If your smoke detector blinks red and you aren’t aware of what it indicates, this article is for you.
Some smoke detectors occasionally blink red to indicate they are working fine. However, if a chirping sound accompanies blinking red, the batteries might be defective and need replacement. And if the detector is constantly blinking red and making a loud beeping noise, then it is a smoke alarm.
It may also indicate that your device exceeded the average life span of 10 years. You need to replace the entire unit to avoid any mishap.
This article will give you the reasons behind your smoke detector blinking red. You will also know when to be cautious to save yourself from fire.
7 reasons for a frequent red blink in your smoke detector
It might be scary to notice that the smoke detector is blinking red, and you might go into a panic state.
I know how difficult it is to ignore the red color blinking in your smoke detector.
I remember how I freaked out when I saw my smoke detector blinking red!
But here’s the good news. It is not always a sign of danger.
There may be different reasons behind your smoke detector blinking red.
It may indicate that your smoke detector is not functioning properly.
Also, a few smoke detectors represent the battery status through red flashing.
At the same time, others indicate the proper functioning of the smoke detector by blinking red at a regular frequency of 60 seconds.
It rarely indicates the firing or smoking alarm.
There are also chances of minor faults causing this red blinking in your smoke detector.
Your smoke detector blinks red depending on the particular company and the model you have.
Consider referring to the user manual of your smoke detector before concluding.
Below-mentioned points are the common reason why your smoke detector is blinking red.
1. Low battery power
When you see a red LED light blinking in your smoking detector with a chirping sound, it indicates the low battery power.
In this case, you can see the red light blinking every 60 seconds.
This annoying chirping sound will remind you to replace the batteries.
Replace it before your smoke detector stops functioning completely.
Some smoke detectors are designed to function by relying on the power of the batteries.
In those models, batteries will work efficiently for up to 10 months before they start losing capacity.
Changing the batteries within a year is always recommended because smoke detectors are too important not to be ignored.
Sometimes smoke detectors will start producing a chirping noise within a short period of battery replacement.
It suggests that the battery is losing its power fast because of the old defective device.
The average lifespan of a smoke detector is 8 to 10 years.
If your smoke detector exceeded this time, consider replacing it.
Check its condition regularly to prevent yourself and your family from danger.
Follow these simple steps to replace the battery if you find it defective:
- Take out the cover enclosing the battery enclosure.
- You can find the batteries within the trays. Cautiously pull them out. Now it will be easy for you to remove the batteries.
- While taking batteries out, don’t interrupt any electrical connections within the battery enclosure because it may encourage the fire.
- The final step is to place the new batteries( I recommend Tenergy Batteries) in the right place to ensure the positive and negative terminals are positioned.
- While replacing, it’s important to check whether you are replacing the right battery which would fit your smoke detector.
If you aren’t sure, consult the professional to get the right type of battery to avoid further hassle.
After replacing the batteries, check whether the chirping issue combined with a frequent red flash in your smoke detector is resolved.
If not, examine for some other issues.
2. Dust accumulation in the device
Over the years, if you haven’t cleaned the smoke detector and the chamber within, it may be why your device blinks red frequently.
Dust and debris accumulated within the detector may cause an inappropriate or false alarm.
And it may ruin your peace as it had happened with me.
To avoid this, consider cleaning your smoke detector once in a while.
If the place where your smoke detector is installed constantly makes it dirty, you can change the device’s position to reduce the frequency of dirt and debris accumulation.
Here is how you can clear your smoke detector if you find it dirty:
- Remove the outer cover of the chamber from the smoke detector.
- Now wipe the outer cover with a cloth to remove any debris accumulation.
- You can use a vacuum or a cotton cloth to clean the inside part of the smoke detector to make it dust free.
- While removing or cleaning, try to handle it delicately. Because you can find a sensor that may break if you push it hard.
- After cleaning it, fix the outer cover.
- Now recheck your device.
It must be solved if this is the reason for the frequent red flash.
3. A defective smoke alarm
Distinguishing between a smoke detector and a smoke alarm is important.
A smoke detector is a sensor within the device.
A smoke alarm is interconnected to the whole smoke detector system.
It includes a speaker associated with it to notice the danger.
Even if one smoke alarm is defective, it might not pass the signal to the next, thus putting you and your family in a dangerous situation.
If one smoke alarm creates a false chirping sound, all the alarms will be noticed where there is no danger.
This issue can be solved by following these steps:
- Examine the issue disrupting the smoke alarm.
- If it is a low battery power causing this issue, replace it.
- Check for any dirt and debris accumulated. Clean it for the efficient functioning of the smoke alarm.
- If your alarm is extended an average life span of 10 years, consider replacing it.
- At the end of the three steps, you should be able to resolve this issue.
If not, seek professional help.
4. Heat from the kitchen or bathroom
When smoke detectors are placed near the bathroom or a kitchen, the hot air from these rooms will raise the temperature and humidity.
A smoke detector would mistake this temperature as the fire spread, which may let the red light blink or the alarm chirp.
To avoid this, turn off the alarm for an hour while cooking, or you can relocate the smoke detector to a place where the smoke from the kitchen or hot air from the bathroom heater won’t reach out.
The latter would be wise because turning off the alarm for an hour may put you in trouble.
5. Indication of proper functioning of the device
Every smoke detector is different, as its functioning varies depending on the type of brand or the model of your smoke detector.
With that said, some smoke detectors indicated the device’s proper functioning by blinking red every 30 seconds.
For example, First Alert and Simplisafe brand blink red as an indication of the device is working properly.
Go through your user manual to understand how your smoke detector work.
If you don’t have or have lost the user manual, you can check online by searching your smoke detector brand’s website.
It will avoid hurdles in your day-to-day life.
6. Your device may be too old
A smoke detector won’t last forever.
It is a sensitive device that has a limited life span of 10 years.
You may have installed the smoke detector when you shifted to the new home and haven’t considered replacing it.
It may be the reason why it blinks red.
Over the years, it may be prone to get damaged by coming in contact with the water, dust accumulation, and degradation of the quality of the smoke detector may also occur.
These damages reduce the sensitivity to detect smoke or fire.
When your smoke detector reaches this stage, it will remind you by blinking red.
If you are looking to replace your smoke detectors, consider getting one from First Alert.
7. Smoke detection
Some smoke detectors may be designed to blink red when they sense smoke.
Even though it is rare, you must understand how your smoke detector works.
If your device falls under this category, get out of your home as soon as possible.
Signs of danger
It would be best to be cautious when you see these signs in your smoke detector.
Beep sound: Even after examining the possible reasons, you must not ignore if your smoke detector still causes a beeping noise.
Something is going wrong.
Seek help from local professionals to determine the reason behind this as soon as possible.
Red flash not appearing: Red light not appearing in the smoke detector is more problematic than blinking frequently.
It may indicate the malfunctioning of a smoke alarm, defective batteries, or the expiry of the smoke detector.
If you notice any of these signs, you need to be more serious in taking the necessary action to fix them.
Why your smoke detector blinks every 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 seconds?
You may have noticed your smoke detector blinking at a specific frequency, and there is a reason behind it.
- If your smoke detector blinks red every 5 seconds, it indicates the normal functioning of your device.
- You may also notice the red blink at the interval of 10 seconds which represents that the smoke detector is running a test. In this case, don’t worry.
- The smoke detector is temporarily desensitized if you see it blinking red every 15 seconds. It is also not a sign of danger.
- If your smoke detector blinks red every 20 and 25 seconds, it indicates the malfunctioning of your device. In this scenario, you must take immediate action to locate what went wrong.
- While at other times, it will blink red every 30 seconds. It indicates that your device has exceeded the average life span of 10 years. You must install the new smoke detector unit.
The frequencies mentioned above vary according to the model of the smoke detector you have installed.
Consider checking the manual of your device to gain clarity.
Reset your smoke detector
Resetting the smoke detector is a simple action you can take to fix minor faults.
Follow this step-by-step process to reset your device:
1. Ensure there is no fire or smoke
When you see abnormal functioning in your smoke detector, ensure there is no fire or smoke in your surroundings before resetting your device.
If the abnormal behavior of the smoke detector is due to minor issues like smoke from the kitchen, then you are safe to reset the device.
This step will prevent you from the possible threat.
2. Long press the test button
Locate the test button, press it for 5-10 seconds, and you must hear a sharp beep while pressing.
Although this sound will vary from device to device, you will hear some beep sounds depending on your device model.
3. Check the condition of the batteries
After even pressing the test button, if your device doesn’t stop making sounds, then something is wrong.
You can test your batteries and consider replacing them.
You can find batteries in the battery compartment on the lateral side of your device.
Remove them to replace them with new batteries.
4. Turn off the silent mode
Accidentally switching on your device’s silent mode will cause unnecessary hurdles.
Before resetting your device, check if the silent mode is on.
In case of a hardwired connection, you can reset the device by pressing the test button.
Check the device individually if they are interconnected with hardwiring.
Maintenance tips to avoid fire or smoke in your home
Follow these steps to get rid of fire or smoke in your home.
- Overloaded electrical outlets: Examine your electrical outlets to make sure they are not overloaded. In case your home catches fire, turn off the electrical supply. Following this would avoid huge losses.
- Control the electrical surge: Avoid an internal power surge by unplugging the electrical appliances that are not in use. This power surge running through your home will become a reason for the fire’s occurrence.
- Ensure the HVAC unit is well maintained: While examining the HVAC unit, see if you can hear any abnormal sounds or smells. If you feel any abnormal functionality, it may vary due to a malfunctioning motor. In this case, you can see this unit overheating. Please don’t take it lightly, as it can cause a fire. Call a professional for proper maintenance of this unit.
- Replace the old device: As I mentioned earlier, the smoke detector has a limited life span of 10 years. Checking its manufacturing date and replacing it is the crucial maintenance procedure to avoid any threat.
Final thoughts
Understanding how your smoke detector work will save you from scary situations. The red smoke detector indicated that your device is too old and needs replacement. It can also happen due to minor faults, as discussed in the article.
To better understand why your smoke detector blinks red, consider referring to your device’s user manual. It will equip you with precise information about your device.
Reference: Wireless smoke detection system, Smoke Alarm Research, Wikipedia, Activation of smoke alarms,