No one tells you what those different beeps or on-off lights on your smoke detector mean. Here's what you need to know. Tyler Lacoma Editor / Home Security and Smart Home Tyler has worked on, lived ...

A concerned woman pushing a button on her smoke alarm. - Chameleonseye/Getty Images Each home security system has its own set of cues and meanings, and you'll need to consult with your manual to work ...

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.

Each home security system has its own set of cues and meanings, and you'll need to consult with your manual to work them out. There are, however, a few universal warning sounds used for most household ...