Smoke detectors beep because: Ionized air, actual smoke or a dead battery. CO detectors beep because CO reaction on the sensor, the whole (sensor) unit needs replacement, or dead battery. And at least in my house they are not only near each other, but they sound very similar. Take one outside to partition the problem, then do what’s appropriate.
The alarms do not last forever. Replace it. Plus, there was a woman around here who was so annoyed with her CO2 detector going off all night because it gave her a headache and made her feel bad. She lived but she was lucky someone else got her out.
We had a burglar alarm in our home when we moved in. We didn’t use it, but one morning it went off wiz hellacious sound. I tried punching the numbers in to dtop it. Nothing worked. I call person who put it in and he gave me code. It didn’t stop so I yanked the damned thing off the wall and threw it in the trash can outside. It was still blaring.
Once had a self-contained smoke alarm. After about 15 years later, I figure the battery was done so I threw it away with the garbage sack by the road. About an hour later, the neighborhood was alarmed, so I brought it back in the house to get it to quit. Still have it 30 years later.
Hey Earl, it’s telling you to replace it! The older ones were 5 yrs now they have built in back up batteries that last 10, when the battery dies, you get a new one. Cheaper in the long run than 20 batteries over 10 yrs, and easier. And while you’re at it maybe get the wireless connected ones so they all go off when one does.
When we moved into this house, we discovered the hard way that the previous owner had installed the smoke alarm right beside the kitchen. It was either move it or have cold food forever.
In 19 years of repairing lawn mowers, I’d seen more “I know how to fix it” style home repairs that must have used a hammer. That was back in the day before push mowers became “throw-away” at the end of summer.
I’m with Earl. My house came with wired-in smoke detectors in every room. Every dang one of them started beeping one by one, over a few weeks, and refused to respond to new batteries and reset buttons. And the dang batteries were only backups, since the power was coming from the house’s wiring. I had to unplug all of them. A couple of them got yanked out of the ceiling by the wires. The electrician said they all needed to be replaced at a cost of hundreds of dollars. Forget it. I’d rather die in a fire than deal with the stupid things.
Our complex put in all the detectors at the same time. They had a ten year lifespan, and all decided to start beeping within a few days of each other a few months ago. New batteries were not a fix, you had to take them down and rip out the battery and wait for somebody to give you a new one. We heard complaints and beeping around the complex for weeks until they could replace all of them.
Put a piece of tape over the the terminals of a 9 volt battery before throwing it away. If it shorts out against something in the trash, it can (and has been known to) start a fire.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace about 5 years ago
Permanent solutions produce permanent problems.
stairsteppublishing about 5 years ago
Press the restart/reset button after installing new batteries.
jagedlo about 5 years ago
So Earl’s going to trade a noisy smoke alarm for a hole in the ceiling?
sirbadger about 5 years ago
Is she asking her to get the sledge hammer, because she hid it from him?
wiatr about 5 years ago
It seems to be misbehaving smoke alarm week at Go Comics.
Concretionist about 5 years ago
Smoke detectors beep because: Ionized air, actual smoke or a dead battery. CO detectors beep because CO reaction on the sensor, the whole (sensor) unit needs replacement, or dead battery. And at least in my house they are not only near each other, but they sound very similar. Take one outside to partition the problem, then do what’s appropriate.
And wear ear plugs.
Zykoic about 5 years ago
The low battery beep is designed to go off near midnight the day before a vacation trip or job interview.
dadoctah about 5 years ago
“Bring me the hammer. And I’m going to take out my hearing aids and put them right here on this table.”
Display about 5 years ago
The alarms do not last forever. Replace it. Plus, there was a woman around here who was so annoyed with her CO2 detector going off all night because it gave her a headache and made her feel bad. She lived but she was lucky someone else got her out.
jmworacle about 5 years ago
My thoughts exactly.
Breadboard about 5 years ago
Earl you are such a man of action !
donwalter about 5 years ago
Chances are, it’s over ten years old. Time for a new one…
Zebrastripes about 5 years ago
This happened to meeeeee…..it was SOOOO annoying….I am now smoke alarmless!
flemmingo about 5 years ago
We had a burglar alarm in our home when we moved in. We didn’t use it, but one morning it went off wiz hellacious sound. I tried punching the numbers in to dtop it. Nothing worked. I call person who put it in and he gave me code. It didn’t stop so I yanked the damned thing off the wall and threw it in the trash can outside. It was still blaring.
eladee AKA Wally about 5 years ago
A good sledgehammer can solve a multitude of problems.
BearsDown Premium Member about 5 years ago
Just needs a little percussive maintenance.
Homerville Premium Member about 5 years ago
Once had a self-contained smoke alarm. After about 15 years later, I figure the battery was done so I threw it away with the garbage sack by the road. About an hour later, the neighborhood was alarmed, so I brought it back in the house to get it to quit. Still have it 30 years later.
david_42 about 5 years ago
Replaced all of mine last year. Seven-year non-replaceable batteries. One of them yells! It’s Fire/CO and it lets you know which one. Loudly.
billycnj about 5 years ago
now it’s time to hunt for and read the instructions. there’s a beep that indicates the device is inoperable
iggyman about 5 years ago
When all else fails, get a bigger hammer! (And please replace the smoke detector, and get a CO detector, too) !
Grace Premium Member about 5 years ago
Hey Earl, it’s telling you to replace it! The older ones were 5 yrs now they have built in back up batteries that last 10, when the battery dies, you get a new one. Cheaper in the long run than 20 batteries over 10 yrs, and easier. And while you’re at it maybe get the wireless connected ones so they all go off when one does.
Diat60 about 5 years ago
When we moved into this house, we discovered the hard way that the previous owner had installed the smoke alarm right beside the kitchen. It was either move it or have cold food forever.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 5 years ago
Guessing that if you take the battery out.. and leave it out.. it will stop.
1953Baby about 5 years ago
And don’t fergit them magic words. . .da. . .fu. . .g. . d.mm.t. . .ALWAYS helps!
St. Pillsbury about 5 years ago
In 19 years of repairing lawn mowers, I’d seen more “I know how to fix it” style home repairs that must have used a hammer. That was back in the day before push mowers became “throw-away” at the end of summer.
codedaddy about 5 years ago
Telling Opal to get the sledge suggests what? That he is impaired? That he can order her to fetch things?
Perkycat about 5 years ago
Why, oh why, do they always need a new battery in the middle of the night????
belgarathmth about 5 years ago
I’m with Earl. My house came with wired-in smoke detectors in every room. Every dang one of them started beeping one by one, over a few weeks, and refused to respond to new batteries and reset buttons. And the dang batteries were only backups, since the power was coming from the house’s wiring. I had to unplug all of them. A couple of them got yanked out of the ceiling by the wires. The electrician said they all needed to be replaced at a cost of hundreds of dollars. Forget it. I’d rather die in a fire than deal with the stupid things.
dv about 5 years ago
Our complex put in all the detectors at the same time. They had a ten year lifespan, and all decided to start beeping within a few days of each other a few months ago. New batteries were not a fix, you had to take them down and rip out the battery and wait for somebody to give you a new one. We heard complaints and beeping around the complex for weeks until they could replace all of them.
sarahbowl1 Premium Member about 5 years ago
Replacement of the whole unit is my thought!
ForrestOverin about 5 years ago
I’m a counselor. When client’s phones ring in my office, my first response is often “Would you like a hammer?”
swanridge about 5 years ago
Put a piece of tape over the the terminals of a 9 volt battery before throwing it away. If it shorts out against something in the trash, it can (and has been known to) start a fire.
zeexenon about 5 years ago
‘Likely haven’t updated their detectors since Hector was a pup (preceded Roscoe).
kevin87031 about 5 years ago
Hammer? How about a baseball bat, like Larry on Curb Your Enthusiasm?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZCEvVBY4LI
TheLetterista.com about 5 years ago
No, no. Sledghammers are reserved for alarm clocks only. A decent broom handle will do the trick on the smoke alarm.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 5 years ago
Maybe just maybe there is smoke…
loisgreen18 about 5 years ago
Just take out the battery and leave it out. Easier than a sledgehammer.
WCraft Premium Member about 5 years ago
Good plan. Who needs smoke detectors?
wwward1948 about 5 years ago
Don’t give it away, man! Energizer Bunny