So the little red light on the smoke alarm in the bedroom is flashing again, about every 90 seconds. It seems to be the trouble maker, I just don't know why. I even tried wiping it off but to no avail. I thought about using the air in a can my husband has but I'm afraid the coldness would somehow trigger som adverse reaction!

Somewhere in the reviews that were linked in this thread was a helpful hint on dealing with this - something about pressing and holding a particular button causing it to reset and stop making noise.

If you have the model/make or users manual. Swanie found out from her debacle that the frequency of the flashing has different meanings.

There is a whole code to the lights flashing. If you have the manufacturer and model number, I'm sure you can find it online.

We had one smoke detector that seemed to cause all of our trouble too. What we discovered is that it was the primary smoke detector for all of the hard-wired smoke detectors in the house. It would sound because all of the other wires came into it.

We made ourselves crazy for a few weeks trying to eliminate all of the possible reasons why they kept going off. Ours would sound off long enough to wake us up between 2AM-4AM and then again around 8AM. There were some nights that they were quiet other nights they'd go off more than once.

I'd give the reset a try, but I wouldn't waste a lot of time on it. If it continues, I would just replace them.

swanie

Dude, I'm telling you. Turn off all your power using the circuit breakers (turn off your computers first!!!). Eat your melting ice cream by flashlight. Get your husband to replace the alarms before you turn the power back on.

Just reading about your predicament is driving me bonkers.

I would but I can't live in the dark when it's going to be 14 degrees tonight and most of the week! Especially since he won't be home until Friday night at the earliest.

The sucky thing is it started again at 9PM, as soon as the boy was in bed. He wanted to know why it was doing that? I told him if I knew I'd certainly make it stop. I then apologized for being in a bad mood today.

If I can get some sleep, tomorrow I can start again with a clear head. I've left messages with everyone I know, so far no replies. I'm seriously contemplating letting the crazy Army special forces guy next door in to help. Except for the fact he scares the crap out of me and everything he touches seems to break or be jimmy rigged in some god awful fashion.

I think I'll have a drink and try to relax.

Oh, sorry, didn't realize your man wouldn't be back for so long.

Instead - cut the power (make SURE it's cut), pry at the smoke alarms until you see the thin wires, then cut said wires. Wrap the ends seperately in black electrical tape to avoid sparks. Turn your power back on. That should do it, right DPR?

Yep. Even cutting one wire would be enough. (unless there's some backup battery that's still in there that we don't know about, but that could be verified by turning off the power and verifying that the smoke alarms quit doing annoying things).

Well it's quiet so far this morning,crosses fingers. It was nice to get some sleep last night, so I can start with a clear head. For now I have unplugged anything new that has been added to any outlets. I have vacummed the alarms and tops of everything. Cleaned fans, heaters, vents and just about anything else I can think of.
The good news is when Gary called this morning, he said if it kept up he would declare a family emergency and come home to save me. He says it's not like burst pipes but keeping your wife sane was important too!

You have second hand smoke alarms?