Beeps and burst pipes: the winter home quiz

Question 1 of 7Your carbon monoxide alarm gives four loud beeps, a pause, then four more. What do you do?

Illustration of a woman, her partner and a dog standing together on the pavement outside their front door — Illustration

Press the button and go back to bed
Look for the faulty appliance
Get everyone outside, then call for help from there
Change the battery

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Answer: Get everyone outside, then call for help from there

Four loud beeps, repeating, means the alarm has detected carbon monoxide (NFPA). CPSC says never to ignore it and not to try to find the source: get out, then call from outside.

Source: NFPA: Learn the sounds of your smoke and CO alarms (2021, PDF); CPSC: Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers

Carbon monoxide alarm beeping? What each beep means

Question 2 of 7One short chirp every 30 to 60 seconds usually means…

Carbon monoxide
The battery is low
Smoke
A gas leak

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Answer: The battery is low

A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds usually means the battery is low (NFPA). Kidde, FireAngel and First Alert give similar patterns, but check your model's manual.

Source: NFPA: Learn the sounds of your smoke and CO alarms (2021, PDF); Kidde: Why is my carbon monoxide alarm beeping or chirping?; FireAngel: Why your CO alarm is beeping (updated 26 October 2026)

Carbon monoxide alarm beeping? What each beep means

Question 3 of 7Fact or fiction: if nobody feels ill, the alarm must be wrong.

Fact
Fiction: CO can poison people before they notice

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Answer: Fiction: CO can poison people before they notice

You can't see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, and it can poison you without you feeling short of breath (VdF NRW). Treat the alarm as real.

Source: Verband der Feuerwehren in NRW: Fachempfehlung Gefährdung durch Kohlenstoffmonoxid, Fassung Bevölkerung (German, 2 April 2012, PDF); CPSC: Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers

Carbon monoxide alarm beeping? What each beep means

Question 4 of 7Your alarm still chirps after a new battery. What does NFPA say that usually means?

Illustration of an old round alarm with a faded case next to a new alarm in an open box — Illustration

It needs a second battery
It has reached the end of its life: replace the alarm
It is detecting steam
Nothing, ignore it

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Answer: It has reached the end of its life: replace the alarm

Chirping that continues after a new battery is an end-of-life signal: the sensor wears out and the alarm must be replaced (NFPA, FireAngel). Kidde says an alarm at end of life can no longer detect CO.

Source: NFPA: Educational Messages Desk Reference, 2026 edition, chapter 3 (PDF); FireAngel: Why your CO alarm is beeping (updated 26 October 2026); Kidde: Why is my carbon monoxide alarm beeping or chirping?

Carbon monoxide alarm beeping? What each beep means

Question 5 of 7In freezing weather your kitchen tap only trickles. In the UK, what does Thames Water say to do first?

Illustration of a kitchen tap giving only a thin trickle, with the pipe under the sink coated in frost — Illustration

Pour boiling water on the pipe
Turn off the stop valve, then open the tap
Leave the house
Call the fire brigade

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Answer: Turn off the stop valve, then open the tap

Turn off the stop valve, usually under the kitchen sink, then open the tap so water can escape as the ice melts (Thames Water). In the US, the American Red Cross says to keep the faucet open while you thaw.

Source: Thames Water: Frozen or burst pipes; American Red Cross: Frozen pipes

How to thaw a frozen pipe safely

Question 6 of 7Which of these is never safe for thawing a frozen pipe?

Illustration of two hands holding a hot water bottle in a knitted cover against a frozen pipe as drops start to fall — Illustration

A wrapped hot water bottle
Warm towels
A blowtorch or any open flame
A hair dryer on its lowest setting

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Answer: A blowtorch or any open flame

Never use an open flame or blowtorch (American Red Cross, NI Water). Thames Water suggests a wrapped hot water bottle or warm towels; NI Water says a hair dryer on its lowest setting, and to go slowly.

Source: American Red Cross: Frozen pipes; Thames Water: Frozen or burst pipes; Northern Ireland Water: Winter Proof Your Home

How to thaw a frozen pipe safely

Question 7 of 7Insulating the loft cold water tank: where should the insulation go?