How to Silence a First Alert Smoke Detector

First Alert smoke detectors offer a safe way to stop unwanted noise.

Smoke detectors are an easy and inexpensive way of protecting your home, possessions, and family from fire. Unfortunately, it doesn't always take a lot to set a smoke alarm off, and there are few things more irritating than a fire alarm blast while you are trying to finish cooking your evening meal. Even more annoying is the ongoing "chirp" of a smoke detector with low batteries when you are trying to get to sleep. While it is tempting to remove the smoke detector's batteries, don't do this. You are likely to forget to replace them, which puts both you and your family at risk. Fortunately, First Alert smoke detectors are equipped with mute buttons, which let you turn off a fire alarm or the low-battery chirp without compromising your safety.

Instructions

Smoke Alarm

1. Identify your First Alert smoke detector model. Most have a button on the device which just needs to be pushed to silence the alarm. Some models also offer the ability to silence the detector's sounds by using a remote control device.

2. Respond to a sounding alarm by walking over to the smoke detector and looking around for the source of smoke. If you are aware of the source of smoke (such as burning incense) and know that there is no danger, or can't identify the source, you can push the silence button on the alarm, which will mute the device for 15 minutes. If your alarm has a remote control function, you can use any standard remote control device to silence the alarm from as much as 20 feet away. Just point the remote toward the alarm and hit a "volume" or "channel" button. If this doesn't work, you can always shut down the alarm manually.

3. Investigate the source of the smoke if you are unsure why the alarm went off. The alarm will reset after 15 minutes and will go off again if it detects smoke. If you are still unsure of the source of the smoke, contact your fire department and follow their instructions.

Low-Battery Chirp

1. Press the silence button on the alarm to silence the low-battery chirp for eight hours. If the smoke detector has remote capabilities, you may use a remote control device to quiet the chirp.

2. Replace the smoke detector's batteries as soon as possible.

3. Remember that if you let the batteries run out, your smoke detector will no longer function. Do not put off replacing the batteries.

Tips & Warnings

• Many First Alert alarms offer protection against both carbon monoxide and fire, and there is a different alarm sound for each danger. The mute feature only works for four minutes in the case of carbon monoxide detection. Since it is impossible to see or smell carbon monoxide, it is better to be safe than sorry. Call your fire department if your carbon monoxide detector goes off.

• Keep extra batteries for your smoke detector on hand at all times.

• Read the manual for your First Alert smoke detector thoroughly. Each model has its own features, and it is important that you understand how your alarm works.

References

• First Alert: Detectors
• First Alert: User Manual SCO5CN
• First Alert: User Manual SA302CN