Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety
Monday, October 4, 2021
Hear a beep, get on your feet! Hear a chirp, make a change!
Fire Prevention Week is October 3 to 9 with a focus on helping you learn about the sounds your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors make and what they mean.
What is your alarm telling you?
Does your smoke or carbon monoxide detector beep or chirp? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family.
Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and knows how to respond.
Find out what your alarm sounds like by checking the user guide or searching online for the make and model.
Smoke Alarms
- A continued set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
- A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
- All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
Carbon Monoxide
- A continuous set of four loud beeps—beep, beep, beep, beep—means carbon monoxide is present in your home. Go outside, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
- A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced.
- CO alarms also have “end of life” sounds that vary by manufacturer. This means it’s time to get a new CO alarm.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
Plan Your Escape
- Plan two ways out! You can protect yourself and your family by planning – and rehearsing two ways out of your home in the event of an emergency.
- Draw a map of your home, and include all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
- Practice your home fire drill twice a year and teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
- Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
- Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.
Learn more about escape planning tips (PDF), and Fire Prevention Week.
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