What is what does it mean when smoke detector blinks red?

A blinking red light on a smoke detector typically indicates one of several things, depending on the specific model and brand. Here's a breakdown of the common meanings:

  • Low Battery: This is the most frequent reason. A blinking red light, often accompanied by a chirp, signals that the detector's battery is low and needs replacing. See Low%20Battery for more info.

  • Standby Mode (Power On Indication): Some detectors blink red briefly every few seconds to show that they are receiving power and are in normal standby mode. This is usually a quick flash every 30-60 seconds and is perfectly normal.

  • Alarm Memory: After an alarm event (even a false alarm), some detectors will blink red briefly for a period of time (e.g., 24 hours) to indicate that smoke was detected. This feature is called Alarm%20Memory.

  • Malfunction/End of Life: A rapid, continuous red blinking might signify a malfunction or that the detector has reached the end of its lifespan (usually around 10 years). Check the manufacturer's instructions for specific meanings, or see Malfunction

  • Hush Feature: After using the "hush" button to temporarily silence an alarm, some detectors will blink red to indicate that the detector is in a temporarily desensitized state. Find out more about Hush%20Feature

Important: Always consult the user manual for your specific smoke detector model to accurately determine the meaning of the red blinking light.