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what invisible thing could set off my smoke detector? (lemm.ee)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by pelletbucket@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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(I have carbon monoxide detectors that are not going off)

I have smoke detectors that are incorporated into my home alarm system. The other day, the one by my front door went off for no apparent reason, twice, and when I changed the batteries, it started alarming again immediately.

there was absolutely no reason for it, there were no open windows or doors nearby, it just went off. so, my alarm company replaced it. installed the new smoke detector yesterday and... it just went off again. completely different smoke detector.

there's absolutely nothing in my house that could produce carbon monoxide, but I have separate CO detectors anyway that aren't going off. there's no smell, there's nothing visible, and these are those ~~electro optical~~ photoelectric style ones.

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[–] Etterra@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago (3 children)

They are probably both about the same age and need replacing. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have a finite lifespan, no matter how often you change the batteries. Fortunately they're not all that expensive, just get new ones. I had the same problem in my apartment last year, and the carbon monoxide detector was over 10 years old. So they just replaced it, problem solved.

[–] todd_bonzalez@lemm.ee 4 points 5 months ago

Interestingly enough, smoke detectors get more sensitive as they get older, but eventually they just stop working.

If your smoke detectors go off every time you cook, it's time to replace them.

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

so, my alarm company replaced it. installed the new smoke detector yesterday and… it just went off again.

Nice theory but it's disproven by OP's initial text

[–] pelletbucket@lemm.ee 2 points 5 months ago

I think he's trying to say that maybe they sent me a new detector that was just as old as the old one, but they didn't

[–] pelletbucket@lemm.ee 2 points 5 months ago

I've had the first detector for like 5 years and the second had a manufacture date from about a year ago