A blinking red light on a smoke and CO2 alarm can mean a few different things. It could mean that the batteries are low, that the unit needs to be replaced, or that there is smoke or carbon monoxide present. If the green light is still on, it's likely that the unit is still working properly.
Look for the detector that has a solid red LED light. That means it is the detector that is in alarm condition. Once you find it, remove that detector by unplugging the power to it and take the batteries out.
Sensor Malfunction: If your smoke detector is older or has been exposed to extreme environments, its sensors may wear out or malfunction, causing a continuous red flash. This indicates that the unit needs inspection and possibly replacement.
Low Battery: This is the most common reason for a red blinking light on a smoke detector. Even if you've just installed it, the battery may not have been fully charged, or it may have drained during installation. Replace the battery with a fresh one and see if the blinking stops.
Generally, a red light may indicate that the smoke detector is functioning properly, especially if it blinks periodically. However, if the red light is steady, it could indicate that the alarm has been triggered or that there is a fault, such as a low battery.
First Alert CO600 Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector
A: That is the power light. It is normally solid red and flashes when there is a problem.
The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the Test/Hush button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately and the red LED blinks every 10 seconds. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition.
In a smoke detector the red-light flashes once every 5 seconds under normal operation with its filter intact. A hidden camera may have different light flashing patterns. A hidden camera smoke detector may not have an indicator at all. Normal smoke detectors are completely enclosed with only the sensor window open.
Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night? This is likely due to one of the common causes like low battery, dirt buildup, humidity, or insects interfering with the sensor. Test the alarm and clean it thoroughly to try and resolve the issue. Make sure batteries are fresh and secure.
If your smoke detectors are yellowing, chirping non-stop, or going off unexpectedly, it's time to call in our electrical pros from Integrity Home Solutions. We can inspect and replace hardwired smoke detectors or install them if you don't have them in place already. Don't take a chance on your family's safety.
On many carbon monoxide alarms, the red light flashes to show the CO alarm is properly receiving battery power. For these alarms, when you do not see the red light flashing, change the batteries in the alarm immediately.
Look at the back of the alarm for the date of manufacture. Smoke alarms should be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture. Combo smoke/CO alarms should be replaced after 5-7 years (depending on the model). Put the alarm back on the ceiling or wall if it is less than 10 years old.
Flashing Red
This is completely normal across all alarms as long as there is no sound. If this is accompanied by a chirp every 45-60 seconds then the battery may need replacing.
Your alarm manufacturer may have included a blinking red light to let you know it's time to test the alarm again. The Batteries are Low: Usually accompanied by a loud beep, a blinking red light could mean the batteries in the unit are low. Consider adding fresh batteries and running a test to make sure it's working.
High Humidity and Steam
Thus, the density of the moisture particles can trigger your alarm, even if they're water particles. If you have high humidity in your home, use fans or windows to dissipate the humidity. Dense water vapor is like humidity when it comes to triggering false alarms.
Verify It's Not a False Alarm
Read any notifications or messages appearing on the keypad display (if it's nearby) and then investigate, however don't put yourself in danger to do so. If you suspect that there is an actual threat in the house, find a safe place to wait for the authorities.
The smoke detector battery is low
If your detectors are battery-operated, changing the detector's batteries is the first thing to consider doing when your red light flashes. Most detectors will emit a shrill chirp or beep and a flashing light when they need a battery replacement.
They are usually mounted in a high position located in the living room, hallway or bedrooms. You will notice two different lights on your smoke alarm: A steady green light shows the alarm is being powered. A red light that flashes once a minute shows the alarm is working.
When your smoke alarm goes off without any apparent reason, it can be perplexing and unnerving. However, often the culprit behind these false alarms is not actual smoke, but rather steam, dust and other particles that can easily build up in the sensitive components of your smoke detectors.
Normal operation when used with battery only, green LED off & red LED flashes once per minute. During testing, red LED flashes once per second and horn signals with 3 beeps, silence, then another three beeps. Low or missing battery (9120B only), red LED flashes once per minute and alarm "chirps" once per minute.
Low batteries are the most common cause of random beeping. Open the device and check the battery compartment. Replace the old batteries with fresh ones, ensuring they are installed correctly. After replacing the batteries, allow a few minutes for the detector to reset.