It just never fails!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (50187)
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.
13 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (79760)
• United States
5h
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.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
4h
I have heard that as well. I do vacuum them with the wand . I absolutely hate that they are on the ceiling!!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (105222)
• United States
11h
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.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
11h
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!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (105222)
• United States
9h
@MarieCoyle It gets really precarious when the balance is off.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
4h
@AmbiePam
I hid the ladder from him in case he ever gets tempted!!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (181227)
• Boise, Idaho
4h
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,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
Just now
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.
@Deepizzaguy (115576)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
9m
I know how you feel about smoke detectors not always working when they are supposed to.
1 person likes this
@7o9Arnav8 (21)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
3h
i am sorry you experienced this. it is very confusing for me too. also, i hope you'll sleep better on the next night
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (166197)
• United States
9h
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.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
Just now
I suppose it would depend on how long the battery lasts. Some seem to last longer than others.
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
Just now
It has been a law here for years, that all ''dwellings'' are required to have working smoke detectors.
@Tampa_girl7 (53629)
• United States
6h
I can feel yiur frustration. So sorry that your sleep was interrupted. I hope that you are able to get some more.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (50187)
•
Just now
It was 6 AM I think, before I was able to settle down and take a nap. Very frustrating, indeed!!
@Marilynda1225 (86703)
• United States
5h
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.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92538)
• Bangalore, India
8h
So right! It seems like some conspiracy by universe in such things. Your son has a valid point 
1 person likes this
