Recycle Smoke Alarms
Have you replaced your smoke alarms lately? The National Fire Protection Agency recommends that they be replaced every 10 years. But what do you do with the old ones? Let’s explore a few options.
How about a water alarm, a tilt alarm or a trip alarm. While were at it, let’s leave the smoke alarm working too.
Water Alarm -
By taking apart and soldering two wires to the “push to test” button contacts you can save that old alarm and turn it into a water sensor. When water touches both of the wires the alarm will go off.
Tilt Alarm –
Just solder a reed switch to those two wires , or use a mechanical tilt switch like these.
Trip Alarm –
You can use a mag switch, normally open, contact switch. Attach to your soldered in wires. When the pieces are separated the alarm will go off.
Another option – twist your wires together and put a pull tab in front of one of the battery contacts. When the tab is pulled the contacts make and the alarm goes off. This might not be an option if the contacts are not easy to access.
Always use caution when taking things apart and use common sense.
Disclaimer – Smoke alarms can contain a small amount of americium-241, a radioactive material.
Disposal – It is best to check with the manufacture of the smoke alarm. Most have return programs. Some states have hazardous waste programs, check with your department of health. Other states allow them to be thrown out in the trash.
