Safety Guide to CO Detector Beeping: Emergencies vs. False Alarms

Types of Carbon Monoxide Detector Beeps

Four beeps and a pause This pattern indicates CO has been detected and it's an emergency. Immediately evacuate all people and pets from the home, then call 911 (if there are any signs of CO poisoning) or your local fire department (if there are no CO poisoning symptoms). Read more about what to do in a carbon monoxide emergency [[#step_2_1|below}}.

One beep or chirp every minute A regular beep every minute or so means that the battery in your carbon monoxide alarm is running low. CO detectors have batteries even if they are mounted on the wall, so they can continue to work if there's a power outage. For most CO detectors, you can simply remove them from the wall and replace the batteries on the back. However, refer to your detector's manual for instructions for your specific model.

Two or more chirps within 30 seconds Regular rapid chirping means that your carbon monoxide detector is nearing its end of life. CO detectors don't last forever, and they need to be replaced once every 7 to 10 years. If you own your own home, replace your CO detector immediately. If you rent, contact your landlord to let them know the detector is dying and you need a replacement as soon as possible.

Random chirps or beeps A loose battery or false alarms from the environment. First, check to make sure the batteries in your CO detector are new and properly placed in the battery casing. If the batteries are okay, consider the following to determine if the beeping is due to environmental factors: The area around your CO detector is often humid or steamy, and may even form condensation. There's an air conditioner, heater, fan, or breezy open window near your detector. The room is consistently under 40 °F (4 °C) or over 100 °F (38 °C). If any of these are true for you, your CO detector may be in a bad spot. Try moving it to a different location. The manual that came with your carbon monoxide detector will suggest the best spots to put your detector.

A continuous beep or squeal The unit has become unplugged or is malfunctioning. Remove the unit from the wall and make sure it's still plugged in, and ensure the batteries haven't begun corroding (which can cause this beep instead of the dead battery beep). If you can't tell why your unit is making this long beep, contact the alarm manufacturer (as well as your landlord, if you rent).

What to Do in a Carbon Monoxide Emergency

Act quickly. If your CO alarm is making a beep that you don't understand, it's always safest to act as if it's an emergency. Never ignore a CO detector alarm.

Evacuate the home. Take all people and pets in the home and go outside immediately.

Call 911 if anyone has symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone in your family is experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, even if they are mild, let the 911 dispatcher know immediately. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headaches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurry vision, drowsiness, loss of muscle control, and/or loss of consciousness.

Call your local fire department if there are no poisoning symptoms. If you call 911, the dispatcher will most likely send the fire department and an ambulance to your location, so you don't need to call the fire department separately. However, if no one in your family is showing signs of CO poisoning, you can avoid calling 911 and just contact your local fire department's non-emergency number. Once you speak to someone at the fire department, explain the situation, especially if you know the reason why your CO detector is beeping or not.

Remain outside until the fire department clears you to return to your home. The fire department has the tools to determine where a CO leak is coming from. Work with the fire department to figure out next steps so you can safely return to your home. If you rent, it's also a good idea to call your landlord once everyone is safe and let them know what's going on. If you live in a building with multiple units, the issue could be more widespread than just your apartment or condo.

How to Reset a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Determine that the alarm is false. Before resetting your CO detector, be completely sure that the unit isn't beeping because there's an emergency. If your unit is not beeping 4 times and then pausing and/or you've confirmed via the unit's screen that there's a non-emergency issue occurring, you can proceed with resetting it. If you aren't sure why your CO alarm is beeping, it's always safest to evacuate and call for help, even in the case of a false alarm. Try fixing the root cause of the beep before resetting it. Use this step above to determine what the cause of the beeping is (i.e. a dead battery, a dying unit, etc.). If fixing the root cause doesn't stop the beeping or the beeping isn't caused by something you can figure out (but it's not an emergency), you can continue with resetting the device.

Check your carbon monoxide detector's app, if applicable. Some CO detectors have companion apps that can be used to control and monitor them. If your unit has an app like this, check the app for an option to reset the alarm.

Remove the unit from the wall. If your CO detector doesn't have a companion app, detach it from the wall and turn it over.

Look for a "silence" or "reset" button. If you have the manual for your carbon monoxide detector, check it to see what type of button your model has specifically.

Hold the button for about 10 seconds. If the button is recessed, use a paperclip to press it down.

Wait until the unit flashes lights and/or beeps once. If the unit is still beeping incessantly, you may need to contact the CO detector's manufacturer and/or your landlord (if you are renting).

Avoiding False Alarms

Check your detector for dust and dirt. If the unit is dirty or covered in dust, the sensors may be compromised and the unit may not function properly and may start throwing out false alarms. Use a duster or microfiber cloth to clean off any dirt or dust, and use a gentle stream of compressed air to get dust out of any crevices or sensors. Never use water, cleaners, or solvents. These may damage your carbon monoxide detector.

Check the location where your CO alarm is installed. If your detector is near air flow (such as an AC unit, heater, fan, or open window), is in a humid area, is surrounded by steam or condensation, or is near a fireplace or gas stove, your detector may be throwing false alarms due to these environmental conditions. If this is the case, move your CO detector to a location that's at least 15 feet away from any of these environmental factors, if possible.

Ensure the unit is installed correctly. Make sure the unit is plugged in securely and is mounted properly on the wall. Also, make sure the batteries are in the right direction and the battery cover is replaced properly.

Test your CO alarm regularly. To make sure your CO detector is working properly, make sure to test it once a year with canned carbon monoxide test gas. Also be sure to test the unit's wiring at least once a month by using the Test button on the unit.