On the face of it, a smoke detector should never be associated with the word “hush.” It’s their job to detect potentially deadly smoke so people can get out of the house safely. That whole concept flies out the window if the smoke detector is busy whispering that you’re potentially facing your home going up in flames. 

However, there are situations where your smoke detector will think that there’s dangerous activity in the home, when in reality you’re just making dinner for your hungry family. Let’s examine how “hush mode” works, what options are available to you, and why you might want to use it. 

It’s a Temporary Measure 

The hush mode on a smoke detector is a temporary means for you to do what needs to be done without the hassle of a blaring alarm. So if you know that the smoke detector will always be triggered when you use oil with a high smoke point, then you can hit the hush mode to  desensitize the detector  for about 7 minutes or so. As long as the smoke is thin enough, the alarm will be silent as the grave…until it lets out a chirp every half minute or so. While the chirps may be annoying, they’re far less bothersome than having to wave a towel in front of the smoke alarm to get it to turn off every few minutes. 

In most cases, you can find the ‘hush’ button on the smoke detector’s cover. However, if you have trouble finding the button or are not sure if your detector has the feature, check out your user manual. Also, always make sure you seek guidance from an expert at your security company before you tinker with the detector. 

How it Works 

Once the 7 minutes have gone by, the alarm will reset itself completely. It will stop the chirping noises and return to its original state. This means that homeowners  don’t have to remember  to turn the smoke detector on and off every time they cook, take a shower, or light a match. The only warning with this feature is that if there’s still smoke hanging in the air after 7 minutes, the alarm will sound. There’s also a smart hush feature that will disable the alarm for about 8 minutes or so. It works similarly to the regular hush feature, except it can’t be used unless the alarm is actually going off. Smart hush will usually feature a red light flashing as opposed to a chirp to indicate that it’s in hush mode. 

What to Know 

First of all, it’s important to answer the question, “How long do smoke detectors last?” Most detectors last around 10 years. Overly sensitive alarms are usually why homeowners use the hush feature. An overly sensitive detector may be a sign that you need to replace your smoke detectors completely. New smart smoke detectors may be a better bet for you in the long-term than having to remember to hit the hush button every night when dinnertime rolls around. Smart smoke detectors are so intuitive that they will only let you know when there’s an actual threat in the home. 

This includes both dangerous flames and carbon monoxide. It can also tell you if the fire alarm is triggered if you’re not in the house by  contacting  you on your smartphone. In addition, smart smoke detectors can save you about 5% on your insurance premiums  due to  the extra safety of your home. 

And speaking of extra security in your home, there are a number of ways  that you can keep your home protected from practically any threat you can think of. Call Brinks Home Security ™ today if you’re looking for equipment and solutions that can make your home a safer place. From criminals to natural disasters, there are ways to be proactive when it comes to your property. We’re happy to help you find the perfect level of security — no matter what your  priorities happen to be. 

Lauren Slade is a Dallas-based writer and editor.