What is the recommended action to take when smoke detector batteries are low?

Changing the batteries immediately when they are low is the best practice for maintaining the functionality and reliability of smoke detectors. Smoke detectors rely on proper power supply to effectively detect smoke and alert occupants to potential fires. A low battery can compromise their performance, leading to delayed alerts in emergencies, which can be life-threatening.

When you change the batteries right away, you ensure that the smoke detector is fully operational and can provide timely warnings. This action is proactive, as it helps prevent possible outcomes where a low battery could lead to a failure to alert occupants in case of smoke or fire. Being unprepared by allowing the battery to remain low puts everyone at risk, as the consequences of a non-functional smoke detector can be severe.

Other responses, such as waiting for the low battery warning to stop, silencing the detector temporarily, or letting it run until it becomes non-functional, do not prioritize safety and may delay necessary intervention to ensure proper fire detection readiness.