It just never fails!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (52269)
October 30, 2025 4:52am CST
I have come to the conclusion that home smoke detectors are all either cursed or just possessed and evil. Why, why do they go off into their ridiculously loud beeping only in the middle of the night??
They were all replaced two years ago, so they are not old. The batteries were replaced in August. Maybe the battery is defective? They weren’t old, either. There are four of them, they are hardwired and have batteries as well. This is insane.
Every single time these detectors decide to die, it’s always after I just get to sleep!! I think I slept 45 minutes. Now I’m trying to get sleepy again.
I’m just frustrated. It’s hard enough to get to sleep some nights. I’ll get over it, I just had to vent. My son says he thinks they are programmed to only die when someone just gets to sleep.
18 people like this
18 responses
@FourWalls (81090)
• United States
30 Oct
I read that dust can get into the detector and mess it up. My ten-year detectors don’t last that long, and the research I did said that dust is the main culprit. Nothing you can do, because smoke particles need to get in there which means the dust will get in there, too.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
I have heard that as well. I do vacuum them with the wand . I absolutely hate that they are on the ceiling!!
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (489047)
• Italy
31 Oct
@MarieCoyle - They are not mandatory here in the apartments, I have seen them in the corridor outside our entry door.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
It has been a law here for years, that all ''dwellings'' are required to have working smoke detectors.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
31 Oct
@LadyDuck
All landlords have to have working smoke detectors and also carbon monoxide detectors, it's the law. Most now have a combination of the two in one small compact unit, that's what I have.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (200148)
• United States
31 Oct
I know, they always do that...it's a conspiracy I tell ya!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
31 Oct
Yep, it has to be. I have never, ever had one go out in the daytime!
2 people like this
!@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
5 Nov
@much2say
Most definitely. That loud chirp is extremely irritating.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
3 Nov
I bet whoever invented them set them up somehow to die when we are sleeping! ( Just kidding, but it does seem that way!)
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (87485)
• United States
30 Oct
Sorry to laugh but the same thing happened to me last week. I had just fallen asleep and the dumb beeping started in my bedroom. I do believe it when you say they are possessed.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (87485)
• United States
31 Oct
@MarieCoyle and they aren't easy to get to in order to stop the beeping. I guess we need them but they certainly can be a nuisance
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
Yes, they are! And they seem to know when we are sleeping!!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
31 Oct
@Marilynda1225
My son declared that they are a big PITA....and he is right.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92724)
• Bangalore, India
30 Oct
So right! It seems like some conspiracy by universe in such things. Your son has a valid point 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
1 Nov
@arunima25
They beep loudly. I don't know how anyone could sleep with that incessant beeping!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (108198)
• United States
30 Oct
Oh, you are so right! I have never in my life had my smoke detector fail at any time but the middle of the night. Once, it drove me so batty I cut the wires to the one in the hallway, because at the time, I couldn’t change the battery. After that time, they just stuck one on my wall.
I sure hope you can go back to sleep soon.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
I had to wake up the son, and I didn’t want to. They are on the ceiling of course, and I had to drag out the little folding stepstool. I didn’t want him to try it and he had a fit. He doesn’t like to admit his balance is off but it definitely is. So I climbed up the two steps and he held my legs while I took care of it. I only use the first step because of my leg. But hey, we got it done!
We both agree that the stupid things are definitely programmed to go off in the night!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (108198)
• United States
30 Oct
@MarieCoyle It gets really precarious when the balance is off.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
@AmbiePam
I hid the ladder from him in case he ever gets tempted!!
2 people like this
@celticeagle (183240)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Oct
Hard to relax when you're frustrated. I have heard where some people just disconnect them. Why even have one then? I hope you get some sleep,
2 people like this
@celticeagle (183240)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Nov
@MarieCoyle ........That's good. Ours are checked annually.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
They are checked every six months by the maintenance guy, too.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (53980)
• United States
30 Oct
I can feel yiur frustration. So sorry that your sleep was interrupted. I hope that you are able to get some more.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
It was 6 AM I think, before I was able to settle down and take a nap. Very frustrating, indeed!!
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (21276)
• United States
4 Nov
When I was living in the trailer, mine went off. It was hardwired in and no battery. I tried to cut it off, but it wouldn't quit. I called my mother and she came over and took it out for me. She also got a replace for me the next day. I decided to replace the smoke detectors in here (my uncle's house) because they were hardwired in without a battery,.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (116657)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 Oct
I know how you feel about smoke detectors not always working when they are supposed to.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
I know they save lives, but they are a pain in the patootie!!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (208412)
• United States
31 Oct
I'm sorry about the smoke detectors. Mine are hard-wired with no batteries.
2 people like this
@7o9Arnav8 (19)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
30 Oct
i am sorry you experienced this. it is very confusing for me too. also, i hope you'll sleep better on the next night
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (166763)
• United States
30 Oct
This is you reminding me to check my batteries this weekend. I have had new ones for a year and a half, it is time. I am sorry this happened to you. It sure is puzzling why yours would go off in the middle of the night.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
I suppose it would depend on how long the battery lasts. Some seem to last longer than others.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
16 Nov
They are definitely very insistent on making that noise!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52269)
•
30 Oct
I know they do save lives. With all of the things that have been invented, you would think there would be a way to notify a person that hey, this will die and beep incessantly in three days, or something like that. Ugh.
2 people like this
