Smoke & CO Detector

If you see a “Malfunctioned” error for your Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector, or Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, that means that the device should be replaced as soon as possible. 

If your device is still within warranty, our Support team can send you a replacement.

The Smoke & CO Detector has several light states that reflect the status of the device and change when there is the presence of smoke or CO within your home. This guide will highlight the various indicators and their meanings.

You may encounter a constant yellow light that is not accompanied by a chirp on your Smoke Detector, CO Detector, or Smoke & CO Detector, or a blinking red light on your Smoke & CO Alarm Listener, accompanied by the app error “Tamper Detected”. This is an indication that the device is not fully attached to its bracket, and needs to be adjusted within its bracket to clear the error.

When placing your device back into its mounting bracket, make sure to twist it fully until you hear it snap into place. The warning light should stop immediately.

If you still see that light, it is possible that the mounting bracket itself may be screwed into your wall or ceiling too tightly, causing the plastic to warp slightly. It may help to unmount the unit and slightly loosen the screws. Then try mounting the detector again.

Once the device has been properly mounted, we recommend placing your system into Test Mode and testing your detector to ensure that it is working as intended. To place your system into Test Mode:

1. Locate your Keypad and press the Menu button

2. Enter your Primary PIN

3. Scroll until Test Mode is highlighted

4. Use the rocker and tap to the right to enter Test Mode

You’ll know you are in Test Mode when you see the circle on the Keypad, with the text “Test each device by pressing its button”.

Note: If you have monitoring, you will receive a robo call from the Monitoring Center asking you to confirm you have placed your system into Test Mode.

To test your device, hold down the TEST button on the device for about 1 second. Please note that pressing this button will invoke a loud chirp from your detector Smoke Detector, CO Detector, and Smoke & CO Detector - so be sure to protect your ears during this process. Your Base Station will also confirm the test was successful by announcing the product name. 

To exit Test Mode, pick up your Keypad and use the rocker to press the Exit option on the screen. 

The Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector alerts you at the first sign of smoke or CO within your home. You should place this device near sleeping areas, ensuring that there is one on every floor within your home. If wall mounting your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, ensure that it is no more than 12 inches from the ceiling.

We recommend installing the Smoke & CO Detector at least 10 feet away from any furnace, stove, or fireplace. Additionally, we recommend avoiding placing it in a garage or in any bathroom with a shower, as dust, debris, and steam have the potential to trigger false alarms.

We also recommend cleaning your Smoke & CO Detector once a month, to avoid false alarms from dust and debris build-up. 

*This product is designed for residential use. When used in a commercial environment, it should be supplementary to your existing smoke and/or CO detectors and not your sole detector(s).

In accordance with National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) guidance, SimpliSafe® recommends replacing your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector within five (5) years of the manufacture date (found on the label on the back of your device).

Our Smoke & CO Detector uses photoelectric sensors, meaning it detects smoke through the distortion of a light beam inside the detector. Photoelectric smoke detectors will detect smoke faster than other detector types but can occasionally result in a false alarm. False alarms often occur when the device detects other particles in the air. Common false alarms are typically due to excess steam from a bathroom or kitchen, dust build-up inside the sensor, or (rarely) a tiny bug finding its way inside. 

You can prevent false alarms by cleaning the device once a month:

1. Make sure to remove the battery before cleaning

2. Open the cover and vacuum the dust off the sensing chamber at least once a month

3. Replace the battery after cleaning

4. Test the smoke detector to make sure the battery is working correctly

Vacuuming the device monthly should prevent dust or debris build-up, and is an especially good idea after you have experienced a false alarm. Never use water-based products to clean the Smoke & CO Detector, as this can damage the device. Also, make sure to install your Smoke & CO Detector away from anything that will produce steam.

If there is a false alarm triggered by steam, dust, or debris, the primary contacts of that location will receive an alarm text prior to being called. The alarm text will notify you of the alarm at your location, but cannot be used to cancel the alarm or the request for emergency services. The first primary contact of that location will receive a phone call and can cancel the alarm event over the phone. You can cancel a Smoke alarm without needing to provide the agent with your Safe Word. You can also cancel a Smoke alarm by disarming your keypad with your PIN. If you don’t disarm your system or answer the phone call to cancel, we will place a call to your local fire department to request assistance at the location of your system. 

If the Smoke & CO Detector detects CO, three things will happen at once. You will receive an alarm text, you will be called, and emergency services will be requested to the location of your system’s address. There is not a way to cancel the request for dispatch of emergency services when a CO detector is triggered, as Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening occurrence.

If you see the “Low Sensitivity" error for the Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector, or Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, that indicates that you need to clean your device so it can detect properly. 

To Clean the Device:

1. Twist the detector counterclockwise to remove it from its bracket

2. Remove a battery from the device to ensure it is not receiving power

3. Use your vacuum cleaner’s soft bristle brush to remove any dust buildup

4. Put the battery back into the device and place it back on its mounting bracket

Vacuuming the device monthly should prevent any dust/debris from building up, and can prevent the Low Sensitivity error from occurring. Never use water-based products to clean the Smoke and/or CO Detector, as this can damage the device.

An exciting new feature of the Smoke & CO Detector is its Early Alert warning. When the Smoke & CO Detector senses traces of smoke or carbon monoxide, you will receive an “Early Alert: Smoke Detected” notification in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, and a “Smoke/CO Pre-Alarm” notification on your Keypad. This warning is to give occupants of the building time to leave the premises safely before a fire begins.

To clear this notification from your Keypad, press the right arrow to remove it.

If the Smoke & CO Detector does not detect a fire soon after, you will then receive a “No Longer Detecting Smoke” notification, letting you know that it is safe to re-enter your home.