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Original poster

Had to call the fire brigade out. Smoke alarm kept going off!!

85 replies

Elderflower14 · 25/12/2023 16:28

Just as we sat down to eat our lunch the smoke alarm kept going off. We checked everywhere and no smoke or anything. We kept switching it off. It's connected to the electrics. The fire brigade fitted it. It went off six times. We tried to ring the non emergency fire brigade number but it wasn't manned so I bit the bullet and dialled 999. I did stipulate the problem and explained it wasn't a huge emergency but they arrived with the sirens blaring!
Turns out one of the firemen was one of my pupils from school. Wilf and I gave him a big hug. They were very sweet as I was embarrassed and they fitted a new alarm before they left.

OP posts:
flowerchild2000 · 26/12/2023 04:52

Such a cute story to contrast the moan posts, as legitimate as they are! Today my elderly neighbor's car was parked outside his house and a drunk driver hit it, tore the back side clean off. They didn't stay so they will probably get away with it. It's really sad because my neighbor isn't doing well at all and probably doesn't have insurance even. Well the whole neighborhood showed up for him, it was a steady stream of gifts and food all day. He was so happy. I'm thinking of starting a Go Fund Me or something for him. I think it's wonderful to share upbeat stories when we can even though life is hard.

mantyzer · 26/12/2023 04:52

AngelAurora · 25/12/2023 17:20

You wasted the fire brigades time in other words?

Fire alarms can go off like this because of faulty electrics. The fire brigade came out because they knew it could be a real fire risk.

Aliceinnorthernland · 26/12/2023 05:12

This is bizarre and very interesting. A long term poster who perhaps people feel they 'know' calls the fire brigade for a faulty smoke alarm. Lots of supporters who would do the same apparently. Really?

You don't call the FB on 999 for a faulty smoke alarm.

I'd love to have seen this post of it had been a new poster. I suspect it would have had a different reaction.

ruby1957 · 26/12/2023 07:00

PamelaParis · 25/12/2023 16:39

You called the fire brigade on Christmas day for a faulty smoke alarm? Hmm

All that is needed is to turn off the circuit via the 'fuse' box for that particular alarm which is usually part of a lighting circuit.
Check whether the alarm needs a new back-up battery and check it is not clogged with dust (which can cause it to sound in error). Turn back on and see if that works. If all else fails remove the alarm itself by disconnecting the faulty alarm internally.

Get an electrician round to sort it - why on earth would anyone call 999 for this. It is not life threatening - I assume the op has more than one smoke alarm. Get some non-wired in ones as back up from Amazon.

YABU - I am 77 and had a similar problem recently and fixed it myself (with someone holding the step-ladder.) .

Slavetomycat · 26/12/2023 07:48

Hope Wilf had a lovely Christmas, and enjoyed the fire fighters visit! Sorry that happened, and your dinner was probably cold by the time it was all over

Peekingovertheparapet · 26/12/2023 08:06

This happened to me as a teen. Parents phoned the non emergency line to tell them to ignore any calls about our house, we were having problems with the smoke alarms and trying to fix them. They were adamant the fire engine needed to attend. 16 year old me was horrified to come out of the shower in a towel to find firemen storming the house. It’s a thing apparently, could have been something slowly smouldering we couldn’t detect, could have been a wiring fault, and then may have masked a real fire because we couldn’t trust the alarm.

They too came all sirens blazing - it was mortifying.

dailygrind22 · 26/12/2023 08:11

Aliceinnorthernland · 26/12/2023 05:12

This is bizarre and very interesting. A long term poster who perhaps people feel they 'know' calls the fire brigade for a faulty smoke alarm. Lots of supporters who would do the same apparently. Really?

You don't call the FB on 999 for a faulty smoke alarm.

I'd love to have seen this post of it had been a new poster. I suspect it would have had a different reaction.

Indeed.... my thoughts exactly

CormorantStrikesBack · 26/12/2023 08:17

That makes sense…..that they have to come and check there isn’t an actual smouldering fire

FuckinghellthatsUnbelievable · 26/12/2023 08:23

CormorantStrikesBack · 25/12/2023 16:43

If it’s connected to the electrics you can’t switch them off or disconnect them. I don’t have any of these type but they sound a nightmare. I’ve heard of people being kept up all night by them.

I guess the danger is if you do nothing and there’s a fire in the night you risk ignoring the alarm and dying 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

Well you can but you have to turn off at mains and then remove emergency back up battery from all units. I wouldn’t recommend it but Id feel awful about calling them on Christmas.

I know a few reserve firefighters who’d of been looking forward to being with their families.

Cosycover · 26/12/2023 08:44

Did anyone else think Wilf was Blippi?

Baircasolly · 26/12/2023 08:47

Didn't you try wrapping it in a blanket and chucking it down the garbage shute first.....? IYKYK

AmytheDancingBrick · 26/12/2023 09:07

CormorantStrikesBack · 26/12/2023 08:17

That makes sense…..that they have to come and check there isn’t an actual smouldering fire

If something was smouldering enough to set off a smoke alarm you would have been able to see and smell it.

My DH is retired fire-fighter who worked many Christmas Day’s - this would have been the eye-roll story of the day when he got home, but he would probably have preferred a smoke alarm call to the Christmas Day he spent thigh deep in sewage when there was some local flooding.

goldedging · 26/12/2023 09:41

You did the right thing!

All the virtue signallers here who would never, ever, ever bother the emergency services (even if they'd sawn their own leg off) are having a laugh! There's no way they'd all sit in their homes with a constantly ringing smoke detector, shouting over the noise all day just so they avoid bothering a service which is designed for that very thing.

It actually says on the London Fire Brigade website: Don’t be afraid to call. If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Call 999 and report what you’re seeing.

For all you knew, there might have been a dangerous smouldering wire somewhere, so you did the right thing and I hope you were able to enjoy the rest of your day in peace.

goldedging · 26/12/2023 09:44

Also OP, this happened to my elderly parents a few years ago. The alarm kept going off in the night so they rang the non emergency number. They explained it wasn't an emergency (as far as they were aware) but they sent out an engine (all flashing blues and no sirens as it was the wee hours). The crew were absolutely lovely and said it was 100% the right thing to do.

Aliceinnorthernland · 26/12/2023 10:55

What did the FB do to stop the smoke alarm given there wasn't an actual fire for them to put out?

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 26/12/2023 11:26

Aliceinnorthernland · 26/12/2023 10:55

What did the FB do to stop the smoke alarm given there wasn't an actual fire for them to put out?

Try reading my OP!!! 🙄🙄

OP posts:
Aliceinnorthernland · 26/12/2023 12:28

Try not calling out an emergency service for a domestic task you should be able to manage yourself!

backtowinter · 26/12/2023 12:31

flowerchild2000 · 26/12/2023 04:52

Such a cute story to contrast the moan posts, as legitimate as they are! Today my elderly neighbor's car was parked outside his house and a drunk driver hit it, tore the back side clean off. They didn't stay so they will probably get away with it. It's really sad because my neighbor isn't doing well at all and probably doesn't have insurance even. Well the whole neighborhood showed up for him, it was a steady stream of gifts and food all day. He was so happy. I'm thinking of starting a Go Fund Me or something for him. I think it's wonderful to share upbeat stories when we can even though life is hard.

What a shame but you're right that the result is upbeat and restores faith.

What lovely caring neighbours he has

Thanks for sharing - a nice Christmas story to warm the hearts and to repeat in years to come

Ariela · 26/12/2023 12:38

Supposing a wire in the back of a cupboard or the loft had overheated, and started something smoldering.....but you couldn't smell it above the Christmas food smells.

I think you were correct to ring the fire brigade, had you left it and your house burned down overnight that lot ^^ would be saying 'why the heck didn't you ring 999 when it kept going off!

kitsuneghost · 26/12/2023 13:14

This is the big problem with this law of having this new style alarm.
Old style you could just take the batteries out and deal with it later.
New style - where are you getting an electrician Christmas day? Are all electricians up to speed with these systems yet? Non emergency not answering.
What is OP meant to do? Leave it sirening away? Switch off the whole house's electric?

kitsuneghost · 26/12/2023 13:18

Aliceinnorthernland · 26/12/2023 12:28

Try not calling out an emergency service for a domestic task you should be able to manage yourself!

I think you me be unaware of this system. It is not a fire alarm attached to the ceiling with batteries in like olden days (or England)

Oldraver · 26/12/2023 13:28

kitsuneghost · 26/12/2023 13:14

This is the big problem with this law of having this new style alarm.
Old style you could just take the batteries out and deal with it later.
New style - where are you getting an electrician Christmas day? Are all electricians up to speed with these systems yet? Non emergency not answering.
What is OP meant to do? Leave it sirening away? Switch off the whole house's electric?

You dont need an electrician. You just release the smoke alarm, as you would have to to do to change the battery, and the electric connection is a push fit. you disconnect that.

Simonjt · 26/12/2023 13:38

kitsuneghost · 26/12/2023 13:14

This is the big problem with this law of having this new style alarm.
Old style you could just take the batteries out and deal with it later.
New style - where are you getting an electrician Christmas day? Are all electricians up to speed with these systems yet? Non emergency not answering.
What is OP meant to do? Leave it sirening away? Switch off the whole house's electric?

You just remove the fuse for the alarm and the back up battery in the alarm. If you choose not to do that you call an emergency electrician, just as you would for any other electrical issue.

Oldraver · 26/12/2023 13:39

images.app.goo.gl/9tqUU8qF3AapBa3K7

You can see on here the picture of the smoke alarm connector you just unplug this. Everyone should figure out how to do this

But you don't get MN attention for doing so

backtowinter · 26/12/2023 13:52

tothelefttotheleft · 25/12/2023 22:12

Some really nasty posters on this thread.

I've read through this thread a couple of times but can't see anything "nasty"

Can you point them out, please

Nasty posts can be reported

Swipe left for the next trending thread