Battery powered smoke detectors have been an essential home safety accessory ever since they were first commercially popularized in the 1970s. But even though the blinking device is fastened to ...

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 ...

When you move into or buy a new home, no one hands you a guide to how the smoke detectors work. They "chirp," which really means shriek loudly, and you occasionally have to put new batteries in them.

If you’ve ever swapped the battery in your smoke detector only to find it still chirping at you, you’re not alone. That persistent beep is one of the most frustrating household mysteries, but there’s ...