Small flashing red lights and chirping sounds every 30 to 60 seconds can mean it’s time to change a smoke alarm’s battery. Some models may have a green flashing light or announce “low battery,” so make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.

Replacing smoke alarm batteries can be a hassle. It always seems that just as soon as you've installed fresh ones, the low-battery warning is beeping at you again. Many homeowners wonder why their smoke detector batteries seem to have such a short life ...

They’re much more expensive than the typical 9-volt battery, but they deliver peace of mind that no dumb battery can. Few life events are more annoying than being awakened at 3AM by a chirping smoke alarm. But the alternative—waking up to a house ...

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. (KTVI) – It’s time to turn your clock back one hour before going to sleep Saturday night.

However, as smoke alarm companies discovered, temperature plays a big role in how batteries perform. Hotter temps create less electrical resistance and amp up battery activity, while colder temps do the opposite, slowing batteries down, draining them and increasing resistance.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Fire Chief Christopher Norris held up a piece of mangled piece of metal and plastic. The unrecognizable melted mess was the remnants of a melted, battery-less smoke alarm.

Maryland fire officials urge residents to test smoke alarms and replace old units as daylight saving time ends on Nov. 2.

Throwing smoke detectors away in household trash or recycling poses its own fire hazard, according to the Department of Fire Services in a press release. Sealed-battery smoke alarms contain lithium-ion batteries which can start fires when they are damaged, such as getting crushed in a trash truck.