Smoke detector flashes red: That's what it means

Since a few years there is a smoke detector obligation in Germany. Smoke detectors are therefore found in almost all homes and warn reliably of fire breaking out if installed correctly. Many smoke detectors are conspicuous by a control light that flashes red steadily. There are two causes for this.

What to do if the smoke detector flashes red?

Smoke detectors are now found in almost all German homes. The devices emit various visual or audible signals to alert the user to malfunctions or dead batteries. This is to ensure that smoke detectors are working at all times and that any fire does not go unnoticed. Users often wonder about a flashing red indicator light. There are two possible reasons for this.

This is why your smoke detector flashes red

1. Safety indicator: On many models, a red light indicates that the smoke alarm is working properly. So as long as you can see the red light, you will be warned in any case of smoke formation.
2. Battery change: some smoke detectors indicate by a red light that the batteries need to be changed. As a rule, however, this also sounds an acoustic signal. Change the batteries promptly.

If your smoke detector by red light only indicates that it is working properly and you find the light annoying, you should not tape it off. You may not otherwise see when the smoke detector is malfunctioning. Instead, try gently turning the smoke detector. Make sure that the indicator light points to a little-used corner of the room.