Is Your Kidde Smoke Alarm Blinking Red and Green?

Smoke alarms save lives every year and reduce the risk of dying from fire by up to 50%. They are recommended in and outside every sleeping area, as well as on all floors of a home and finished attics.

Kidde smoke detectors use photoelectric and ionization sensor technology to detect both fast flaming and slow smoldering fires. Check out our selection to find one that is right for you and your home.

What is it?

Smoke alarms are an important part of your home safety system, and the indicator lights on them are a great way to keep track of their status. Understanding what different light colors and blinking patterns mean for your specific model and brand will help you ensure you’re getting the most out of your fire protection equipment.

For example, the green LED on most smoke detectors means the unit is energized and operating correctly. This could be because it’s detecting a fire or carbon monoxide, or it might simply be warning you that the battery needs replacing.

In other situations, a red light on your kidde smoke alarm could be telling you that there is debris in the chamber that needs to be cleaned. This can be caused by tiny particles of dust, animal hair, or other debris that floats through your apartment’s air and lands in the sensor chamber.

Other times, a red light on your kidde detector might be flashing because it’s in “hush mode.” This feature can desensitize the smoke sensor so it will only alert you when it detects a true emergency. It’ll then reset after approximately 8 minutes, unless it detects particles of combustion.

Why is it blinking?

If the red light on your smoke alarm is blinking, it could be a sign of a problem with the unit. Smoke detectors can have many different lights and blinking patterns, so it is important to read the instructions that came with your device.

If your device is blinking red, the first thing to do is to check the battery level on the unit. If the red light is flashing regularly, it may indicate that the battery is low and needs to be replaced.

Another issue that can cause your smoke detector to flash red is if there is debris in the alarm or the wires. This can prevent the smoke alarm from working properly and may cause it to emit false alarms or even start a fire.

Kidde offers a wide variety of hardwired and battery-powered smoke alarms to protect your home and family from the threat of fire. They also offer smoke and carbon monoxide combination devices that can be interconnected wirelessly.

How do I fix it?

Smoke detectors are an essential safety feature in any home, but sometimes they can malfunction. One common issue is a blinking red light on the alarm.

First, you need to determine the cause of the issue. This may include the battery, wiring, or sensor.

If the red light is flashing because of a low battery, replace it with new batteries. Be sure to use the right type of batteries for your smoke detector, as some require specific types.

Alternatively, the smoke detector may be dirty and need to be cleaned. Clean it regularly using a vacuum cleaner or cloth.

The smoke detector may also be temporarily desensitized by lingering smoke. This is a sign that it needs to be reset by pressing the test button for about 10 seconds.

What should I do next?

If your smoke alarm is blinking red and green, there are a few things to do. First, make sure there is no fire in the area where the alarm is triggered. Then, test it by pressing the device’s test button and listening for a high-pitched beep or buzz.

If that doesn’t work, you might need to change the batteries or reset it. Changing the batteries can be as simple as unscrewing the battery compartment and replacing them with new ones.

You might also want to try cleaning your smoke alarm’s sensors, as debris can be responsible for false-alarms. You can use a compressed air canister like the kind you’d find in your office to blow out the dust and debris. It’s important to get this done at least once a year.