Smoke detectors (not just their batteries) have a temporary shelf life. Find out how long yours will last, and how to know it ...

Beeping or chirping smoke detectors are beyond annoying. Usually, a chirp every 30 to 60 seconds just indicates a low battery. “If it has a 9-volt battery, it needs to be changed,” says Battalion ...

There are multiple reasons to convert your home to hard-wired smoke detectors. One of the most basic reasons people convert is that some battery-powered smoke detectors can be hard to reach. Moreover, ...

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of ...

Q: My home has hard-wired smoke detectors. How often do I need to replace them, and what kind of replacements do I need? Can I do it myself, or do I need a professional? And if I need a pro, what kind ...

We've been in our house (bought new) for 12 years. This morning (5:40AM, everyone was asleep) our smoke detectors, of the wired whole-house variety that were installed when the house was built, ...

When you move into or buy a new home, no one hands you a guide to how the smoke detectors work. They "chirp," which really means shriek loudly, and you occasionally have to put new batteries in them.