Ch-Chirp

 I love coming to California to visit the family. I flew into to San Francisco Sunday evening. By the time I Ubered to my little condo (my sanctuary), it was almost 9 PM. Ahhhh, so good to be 'home'!  Ch-Chirp. I had just shut the door. I hadn't even gotten my jacket off. My suitcase was only inches inside the door. Ch-Chirp. I am so ready to get in bed, considering it is midnight according to "brain time"! Ch-Chirp.

I don't know about you, but when the smoke detector begins chirping, there is no way I am going to be able to shut the sound and and go to sleep. So...Ch-Chirp, I need to locate the errant smoke detector and change the battery. 

Ah...first, do I have a 9-Volt batteries? The gas station down at the corner would be still be open, but let me check the 'junk drawer'. Ch-Chirp! 

Ah, it is my lucky day. Not only is there a 9-volt, but I have three! Jack pot! Ch-Chirp!

I need to get the little ladder. But first I need to move the bike that is wedged into the 8' x 8' "bedroom", so that I can open the closet door. Then I have to move a folding wagon - hmm, why do we have a folding wagon??!! Ch-Chirp! Then I have to move the shovel. Shovel?? Why?? Ch-Chirp! 

Here's a pic of the bedroom so you see how tiny a room can be! One of the bikes is already out of the space, but you can see it is rather small! 

But, back to the evening before: I Finally got the ladder out, batteries in my pocket, and checked the alarm for a little battery door - like those I was used to. No door. Ch-Chirp! I twisted the detector off it's bracket, only to find this label: 

Doing the math, the built-in battery (no need for the 9-volts in my pocket) should be good for 7 years, 3 months. But, reading the instructions and warnings on the back of the battery indicated they could have false alarms if dirty, and they should be cleaned/vacuumed out annually. Ch-Chirp!

I unearthed the vacuum and, to the best of my ability, vacuumed around all of the openings. Ch-Chirp!

OK...it's a small condo, but maybe there are other detectors. I guess the law requires one in every bedroom, no matter how small. I took down each, vacuumed them, replaced them, Ch-Chirp!

So, I then notice this other little box...hmmm, what could that be? Does it chirp when a battery is low??

I stood on the ladder with my head between both detectors (Carbon monoxide and smoke) and waited. (Why does it take longer for the alert to sound when you are waiting for it?!) Ch-Chirp! AHA! It was the carbon monoxide detector chirping! 

I took that off the wall, still chirping, and stared at it trying to decide what to do with it.

• I could put it outside the door to the condo - but it might disturb other tenants.
• I could go put it in the trash area - but you aren't supposed to put batteries in the trash.
• I could smother the sound - maybe! 

It worked! I could no longer hear the annoying Ch-Chirp!

The next morning I dealt with the offensive gadget, which was still chirping. This unit also had a 10-year battery, which apparently only lasted 9 years, 2 months, according the label. (Do you think I can get warranty coverage for it?!)

There were clear instructions for deactivating the batteries.

I followed the instructions to detach the key, insert the key, turn it about 360 degrees,

and leave the key in it. 

Oops!

I don't think the 'key' was supposed to break off.

Ch-Chirp!

Luckily, I was able to insert jam the end of the key

back in the hole and twist it, 

and silence the device.

Finally!

Peace in my little sanctuary, 

at last!