Recycling Smoke Detectors

If you're like me, I replace the batteries in my smoke detectors every fall when we switch back to Daylight Standard Time. The National Fire Protection Association strongly recommends the replacement of home smoke alarms every 10 years. Smoke alarms become less reliable with time, primarily due to aging of their electronic components, making them susceptible to nuisance false alarms.

According to the U.S. EPA, both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms contain plastic, electronic circuit boards and in some cases, batteries. Since most smoke detectors contain small amounts of radioactive materials, they are not readily accepted at most hazardous waste dropoffs. Federal regulations stipulate that all smoke detector packaging must contain the company’s mail back address so that they may be disposed of properly. Please call the company for instructions on mailing the detctors back properly.