How to Stop Fire Alarms in a House

A fire alarm --- also known as a smoke alarm --- is designed to sound a horn or siren when it detects the presence of smoke. A malfunctioning fire alarm will sound its horn or siren intermittently or continuously. This is more than just a nuisance and a headache in the making, as it makes your home vulnerable to a real situation where smoke detection might be needed. Stop the fire alarm from continuing to make noise by using a series of steps that will change the alarm's operation state.

Ladder
Electrical lubricating spray
Heavy-duty battery

Instructions

- 1
  Trip the circuit breaker at the fuse box to discontinue the electric power to the room where the AC-powered fire alarm is located. A hard-wired fire alarm that is totally powered by the electric lines of the house will now be unable to sound its horn or siren.
- 2
  Place a ladder next to the wall where the fire alarm is mounted or beneath the ceiling where the fire alarm is mounted. Shake a can of electrical lubricating spray for five seconds. Spray the "Test/Reset" button on the side of the alarm so the liquid penetrates and unsticks the button. Press in the button and release it. Repeat this step another two times. Press the button once and hold it in for five seconds. Release the button to reset the alarm. The horn or siren will stop sounding after a few seconds have passed.
- 3
  Twist the cover off the fire alarm. Remove the battery from the battery compartment. Most likely the battery has run low on power and has caused the horn or siren to sound. Place a heavy-duty battery in the battery compartment. Twist the cover back on. Press and hold in the "Test/Reset" button for three seconds. Release the button and cover your ears as the horn or siren sounds for a few seconds. The fire alarm will now be silent and will operate normally once more.

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