Keep in mind that if your smoke detectors are powered primarily on AC with 9V back-up, they are probably wired together. One "beeps" and they all "beep", just not at the same time. If one battery is on the "BEEP", chances are they all will be in the next few days. Replace them all so you only chase them once.

Don't take the battery out and forget it cause it stopped "beeping" either. I am certain at least one of the fire/rescue guys on this board has had to carry the body bag of the person who removed the battery from the "smokie" and forgot to replace it.

UTAlumnus how well did you enjoy your time in AUSTIN during college?? Ha Ha

ONly one of mine ata time beeps, one of them started right after I moved in. One more is up so high I don't have a ladder tall enough to reach it. I was thinking about hardwiring a UPS to that circuit anyway, they are on a dedicated circuit.

I believe the International Building Code requires them to be wired together. Of course, I don't know how old your home is, so that code may not have been in effect at the time of construction. YMMV Good Luck

Great post, very feel-good. Your Scouts are fortunate to have adults like you and the other adult leaders to help them develop traits like charity and compassion. And those service people receiving the care packages probably appreciate them more than us folks back home will ever truly know. Keep up the good work!

Here ya go...

http://patriotroom.com/fred-thompson-at-his-snarkiest-best/