Dickens and the smoke alarm

[Mignarda]

Like I said, topics like this one make me go .

Not me. There are plenty of genuine things for me to get aggravated about without worrying whether other people are putting choke collars on their dogs, or disabling their smoke alarms. Now, I use smoke alarms, because I find the benefit to be very large in relation to the cost. But I'm prepared to believe that other folks might think differently.

 

[JLSOhio51]

Not me. There are plenty of genuine things for me to get aggravated about without worrying whether other people are putting choke collars on their dogs, or disabling their smoke alarms. Now, I use smoke alarms, because I find the benefit to be very large in relation to the cost. But I'm prepared to believe that other folks might think differently.

I can appreciate that not every one has the same triggers that I have, and that is OK with me whether or not I agree with their assessment. I would say, however, that I would not characterize what I like/dislike as "genuine" with the implied suggestion that all other thoughts were not "genuine".

 

[Lightplum]

What I didnt state in my post not that it matters, but I have 5 other smoke alarms in my house...its the one that is in direct line of my kitchen that was disabled! So

 

[JLSOhio51]

What I didnt state in my post not that it matters, but I have 5 other smoke alarms in my house...its the one that is in direct line of my kitchen that was disabled! So

Lightplum:

I assumed that no-one is suggesting that they are disabling all of the units in their homes (I could be wrong, but that is what I assumed). However, disabling one or some of those involved actually is part of my concern. Building codes require multiple units (and specific placement) for very specific reasons. Interrupting some of the units adds to the potential risks (IMO and from my training) should units be needed in the event of a problem. That said, each individual decides what risks he/she will take in any situation. I say only that such practices seem to be inconsistent with many of the other "thou shalt not's" that are often discussed here. I cast no aspersions on those who choose differently than I do.

For the reasons I stated, disabling safety devices is not likely to ever be on the list of solutions for me.

 

[JessicaR]

JLS, My husband is the captain of the fire department, and fire inspector for the county, he would have a cow if I disabled any of the fire alarms especially for the dogs! Luckily none of mine are too bothered by them, they don't like them but they don't freak out. Of course we do regular monthly testing so they are used to hearing them.

Of course I also like to crate my dogs when I am gone, even if they don't need to be, because if there ever was a fire, the fire department would be able to rescue them easier. Dogs, like kids tend to hide from the firemen.

 

[JLSOhio51]

JLS, My husband is the captain of the fire department, and fire inspector for the county, he would have a cow if I disabled any of the fire alarms especially for the dogs!...

JessicaR:

Thanks for your comment. Those of us who have had the unfortunate task of sifting through the rubble after a fire tend to "have a cow" if we find that the devices have been compromised for any reason. Fortunately for me, I have not been tasked with responding in cases where death or serious injury was a consequence (like perhaps your husband has), but I have seen tremendous damage. (I worked with the fire guys, not for the fire guys.)

Oh - and cows make waaay bigger messes in the house than Shelties!

 

[BarbV]

I would never disable a smoke alarm for a barking Sheltie. Instead, its always about training the Sheltie not to bark.

But I guess I'm fortunate that my alarms are not super sensitive, so its rare that I have to deal with it anyway.

 

[Lightplum]

I would never disable a smoke alarm for a barking Sheltie. Instead, its always about training the Sheltie not to bark.

But I guess I'm fortunate that my alarms are not super sensitive, so its rare that I have to deal with it anyway.

My last post on this topic. if anyone bothers to read what I posted it was not for barking. I did not care when my others barked at it, it was when I had one that completely shut down and until you see a dog do this you will have no idea. And in-case no one reads the other post I posted I have 5 other working smoke alarms. It was the one right next to my kitchen that constantly goes off. Which IMO is a stupid place for one since it goes off anytime there is something in the oven that smokes.

 

[ute_fan]

I also mentioned that we had to disconnect ours -- but it was through the instructions of our alarm company as it was malfunctioning, and we have another battery operated one that covers basically the same area. I appreciate those of you who are fire fighters and have to deal with such issues, but in my case, we still had a functioning one working.

It wasn't only for the dog that we disconnected it. Callie wasn't barking -- she was terrified -- and the humans couldn't stand the noise either. If they hadn't been able to silence it, we would literally have had to spend the night in a hotel.

 

[JessicaR]

I also mentioned that we had to disconnect ours -- but it was through the instructions of our alarm company as it was malfunctioning, and we have another battery operated one that covers basically the same area.

I can understand disabling a malfunctioning FA, and using a battery operated one in its place. Unfortunately though lots of people disable them and never turn them back on, usually because they go off when they are smoking.

Lightplum, Quite few fires start in kitchens so it is a very important area to have one. I understand it is sad to see a dog shut down from fear, and annoying when they go off, but that is not worth the risk of their or peoples lives.

I guess I am more sensitive to this subject since I know what can happen if a FA doesn't work properly is missing or disabled.

Like my husband has said, it only takes 2 minutes for something as simple as a couch or curtains on fire to turn into deadly situation. The smoke and gases fill the house quickly, within 10-15 minutes (depending on the age and contents of the house) the whole house can be fully engulfed.