At the end of their working life, you may throw ionization smoke detectors away in your household garbage. Your community may also have a separate recycling program for ionization smoke detectors. You may also contact the manufacturer of your detector for other possible disposal and recycling options.
You can recycle smoke alarms and batteries at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. If possible please remove the battery from the alarm. HOUSEHOLD WASTE FACTS: Most household waste types can be recycled or disposed of at local Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years. Also, alarms have labels showing when they were made. If you don't see a label, the alarm is old and must be replaced. Dust and cobwebs make it harder for alarms to detect smoke.
Silence Button: Many smoke detectors have a ``silence'' or ``hush'' button. Press this button to temporarily silence the alarm. This is often effective for a short period, but the beeping may resume after some time if the battery issue persists.
Some manufacturers will responsibly recycle smoke detectors manufactured by their company and later returned to them. This is the recommended option for disposing of old or spent photoelectric, ionization, and dual-sensor smoke detectors. Note: Be sure to contact the manufacturer prior to shipping.
Of course, it's important to identify reputable recycling centers, since many don't follow proper recycling protocols. You can find reputable recyclers using online resources, such as E-cycling Central and the EPA.
“There are no special disposal instructions for ionization smoke detectors. They may be thrown away with household garbage, or your community may have a separate recycling program.
Previously, the replacement of smoke alarms older than 10 years was merely a recommendation. However, with the updated legislation, it has become a mandatory requirement. The rationale behind this change is rooted in the reliability and effectiveness of smoke alarms.
To Deactivate Your Alarm:
Break through label with a screwdriver. Turn the screw to the “OFF” location. This will deactivate the alarm, stop the low battery chirp and render the alarm safe for disposal by draining the battery.
The most likely reason that cause fire alarm randomly going off is that people forget to change the batteries in fire alarm devices regularly. The second most common reason is food preparation. Also, sensors set close to the fireplaces can be sensitive to smoke.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends every smoke detector be replaced after 10 years and that regular batteries be replaced every six months. With 10-year sealed battery alarms, battery replacements and late-night battery chirps are eliminated for a decade.
Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.
In the vast majority of states, all solely battery-operated alarms sold within California, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and New York must be 10-Year.
Curie Environmental Services explains that California classifies smoke detectors as Universal Waste Electronic Devices due to their circuit boards and should not be put in the trash. (Curie also provides prepaid mail-in recycling services for ionization smoke detectors.)
Customer Recycling Services
You can find a recycling bin with directions for dropping off these materials near the entrance of your local Home Depot store. We partner with Call2Recycle to recycle used rechargeable batteries in all U.S. stores (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) from power tools, cellphones and laptops.
The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the Test/Hush button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately and the red LED blinks every 10 seconds.
Why do they expire? Smoke alarm sensors will become less sensitive over time and the build-up of dust, insects and other contaminants can affect the operation of the smoke alarm over it's 10 year life. Corrosion of the electrical components can also cause the alarm to deteriorate.
A flashing green light is a normal part of the power up cycle. Any time there is a power outage, brownout, surge or other problem with the power, the alarm goes through a power up cycle.
They typically have a lifespan of around 10 years. If your smoke detector is beeping constantly or in a different pattern than the low battery chirp, it may be nearing the end of its intended lifespan and needs to be replaced altogether.
Every 10 years
Replace your smoke alarm. Some models last as little as 5 years. This includes battery operated and hard-wired alarms. All smoke alarms have an expiration date.
If your device does not contain radioactive materials per the product description, you can remove the battery and dispose of the alarm/detector in the trash.
In the rare event that a nuisance alarm does occur, Kidde's Worry-Free Alarms have a hush button feature that will temporarily silence the smoke alarm if a non-emergency condition activates it. Simply push the button on the alarm to temporarily silence the system for about seven minutes.
Determining which type of smoke alarm you currently have can be difficult. If you find anything mentioning radioactive materials, a model number with an “I” or any mention of Americium-241 on the alarm's label, it is an ionization alarm. If you find a “P,” it is a photoelectric alarm.