I’m Being Driven Mad.

[chrissa1]

The smoke alarm in my lounge has run it’s battery down. It’s now beeping every 30 seconds. The ceiling is high and I can’t reach it. HEEELLPPP.

[davebro]

Think you might be better asking a neighbour than people on here.

[barry1010]

You'll have to stand on a ladder or a chair. Or find a tall person

[Smowball]

Do you have a broom??

[Sqad]

If you have a walking stick or sweeping brush that might reach?

[barry1010]

A broom won't get the battery out and it is impossible to stop the flat battery indicator by pushing the reset button

[bobbinwales]

Are smoke alarm batteries are fitted in such a way that you cant easily remove them so you after take the unit out to get at the battery section, so you'll need more than a broom- a ladder and a screwdriver and you may need to turn the electric off while its done.

[royfromaus]

and you may need to turn the electric off while its done




?

[barry1010]

I don't need a screwdriver or have to turn the electric off to change my alarms batteries - turn the cover clockwise to take the cover off. Mine aren't connected to the mains.
They are all different but changing the battery should be straightforward

[Smowball]

Can you reach it if you stand on a chair??

[barry1010]

roy, a lot of smoke alarms are connected to the mains with back up batteries in case of power failure

[bobbinwales]

Mine are all wired to a circuit roy. All the alarms are connected for some reason on 3 floors Removing the battery was fiddly. The battery casing was inside the unit and in fact the battery cover said "do not remove" and needed to be unscrewed very close to all the wires

[chrissa1]

I’ve asked my son to come round after work to fix it. Guess I’ll have to put up with until then. :((

[chrissa1]

I’m not very steady on legs and wouldn’t want to risk standing on a chair.

[gingejbee]

...and without knowing which type it is, suggestions won't be helpful.
However, I'd advise against standing on chairs etc as that way leads to hospital for many people!

[davebro]

earplugs?

[Gill1941]

Don't know how old you are but my alarms are always changed by the fire brigade. Have been for about 10 years. Just have to ring them and they usually come round fairly quickly if they have no emergencies.
Great service.

[Maydup]

Same thing happened to my relative and the neighbour came to remove the battery. Instead of replacing it they contacted the local Fire Service who replaced all of the smoke alarms in the house free of charge, for more modern ones which dont require batteries.

I recommend looking into it. Google (Your County) Fire and Rescue Service and give them a ring.

[teacake44]

Have you a shotgun?

[tiggerblue10]

Hate it when that happens. I've broken a smoke alarm by prizing it off the ceiling when it wouldn't come off as it should've done.

[alavahalf]

All non mains powered fire alarms need a battery .. The fire service tend to fit a Fire Angel type alarm which has a non replaceable 10 year battery pre-installed. Upon installation a small tab is pulled from the casing, this activates the battery, but when the time comes and you start to get the warning bleep, you dispose of the whole alarm. It is quite normal for them to fail long before the 10 years is up.
It used to be one of my regular jobs.. fitting alarms on behalf of the fire service. In my job I worked with the vulnerable in their own homes and this gave me a view behind closed doors that not many would get to see. If I identified someone at risk, I would offer and fit all the alarms they needed, as well as a Carbon Monoxide alarm, all for free !
It was quite common to go out to an alarm that had been smashed of the ceiling using a broom, a walking stick or a crutch.. suppose it was one way of silencing it !