What Triggers a First Alert Smoke Detector?

Dust

• An accumulation of dust or dirt can trigger a false alarm. Most smoke detectors are installed in areas that may not be dusted regularly. In addition, an alarm that appears clean on the outside may be harboring dust on the inside. Open the alarm door occasionally and use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to clear away dust accumulation.

Insects

• Check for insects. Tiny insects may have made a home inside of the sensor chamber. Use a vacuum cleaner or soft brush to clear them away. Optionally, install insect baits around the area. Don't use spray insect repellents inside of the smoke detector.

Power Interruption

• Check to see if there was a power interruption while you were not at home or asleep. When a smoke detector is initially installed, it emits a sound alerting you that the alarm is working properly. For this reason, smoke detectors that are hard-wired may emit a sound once the power is restored after an interruption.

Electrical Problems

• There may be a wiring problem in hard-wired smoke detectors. A loose wire or other intermittent electrical problem can trigger the alarm in the same manner as a general power failure. Each time the power reconnects, the alarm will sound. Have a professional check the wiring to your smoke detector.

Smoke Detector Placement

• If a smoke alarm is triggered by normal daily cooking, it should probably be relocated. First Alert recommends that smoke detectors be installed at least 20 feet away from appliances that produce combustion particles, such as ovens or furnaces.