Act now
Emergency: the alarm is sounding
A loud, continuous beep means the alarm has sensed smoke. Get out, stay out and call 911.
Why this happens
NFPA says to get out, stay out and call 911 when a smoke alarm sounds, and the Red Cross gives the same rule for any fire. NFPA notes that roughly three out of five home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Do this now
- Get everyone out now, by your planned escape route.
- Call 911 from outside.
- Do not open a door that is warm to the touch. If smoke traps you, stay in a room with the door closed, put a wet towel under it, call 911 and signal from a window.
- Do not go back in for anything.
What to tell the licensed electrician
- Which alarms sounded and where you saw or smelled smoke.
- If there was no smoke and it keeps happening, how often and at what time of day.
Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
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