Why do false alarms always happen in the middle of the night?!
Our bnb is a separate apartment in our home but all the smoke detectors are wired and a trigger will alert the fire department. So, last night a bug or bit of dust must have flown into one of our main house detectors and tripped it. We have no idea (but we will test once our guests leave) if this caused the bnb detector to sound. We turned it off immediately and I messaged the guests letting them know there was a false alarm with apologies if it woke them.
They never responded so we have no idea if they heard it or it was a bother to them. It could have been as little as one peep. Have I done my due diligence, or do you guys recommend something further? Thanks!
Did you ask the guests about it in the morning? I would not worry about it.
How did you avoid the fire department showing up with sirens blaring? I once had a false fire alarm go off and the dispatcher called and I had to beg him to not send out the crew. He was very skeptical. My wood stove had a small downdraft and belched some smoke into the room and it hit the detector in the hallway.
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Chances are if you promptly turned off the alarm, the guests were satisfied it was nothing to worry about. I’ve experienced alarms in places we’ve stayed and if it doesn’t turn off within about 30 secs., I get up and look out the window for emer. vehicle lights or the smell of smoke. When the alarm is turned off quickly, there’s no anxiety.
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Your story reminds me of when we did an impromptu walk-through with our agent in a house we were purchasing. We wanted to see it at night before we left town and the agent could only meet us there at 9 pm, after her dinner engagement.
The agent forgot to turn off the burglar alarm in the foyer and it wasn’t audible to us. The alarm triggered at the Sheriff’s office and we got a call from the dispatcher asking if everything was okay. We said yes and she said they would turn off the alarm.
A few seconds later, we were startled when there was loud rapping at the door. We looked out the window and saw red and blue lights twirling and the Sheriff and his deputy standing on the porch with their hands on their weapons. Our agent explained why were there and after everyone’s I.D.'s were inspected, we all had a (nervous) laugh.
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Unfortunately, they did show up! We have a fire station really close by and before we could cancel, they were here. However, they were quiet and we met them out front. Looking forward to the $125 false alarm bill. 
We’re changing our protocol to call us first and, if no answer, then dispatch.
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Thanks @SandyToes. I quite literally leaped out of bed and shut it off within 8 seconds.
We haven’t seen them yet today but will ask in person. I just didn’t want to message them yet again about it when they didn’t reply. I’m sure they’re out enjoying the day and not thinking much about it at all.
I work as a dispatcher for the fire department, so I’m taking the fire department perspective here.
Sure, there are false alarms, lots of them, but ultimately, alarms are also triggered by numerous hazardous things, such as smoke, heat caused by fire, and carbon monoxide. To ignore the possibility that these things might actually be present is incredibly dangerous.
I can’t stress enough how bad an idea it is to simply turn an alarm off unless you are 100% sure of what set it off in the first place. If you shut off or ignore an alarm without allowing the fire department to do its due diligence in determining the cause, you are setting yourself up for massive liability issues.
Obviously, I can’t speak for other fire departments, but in my jurisdiction, the crews are fine with responding to alarm calls. They are the majority of our call volume. What we don’t enjoy is responding to structure fire calls where the alarm did go off, was silenced by a resident, and the fire was allowed to grow unchecked in the walls and roof spaces until they break through and became visible. Once that happens, there’s not much we can do to save the building as the fire is too advanced.
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@daniellealberta, I appreciate the fire department perspective. In our house, we are able to pinpoint which smoke detector had triggered the alarm, we investigated, and there was no smoke or fire.
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Are your alarms also carbon monoxide detectors?
I wouldn’t say any more about it. It obviously didn’t bother them if they didn’t reply the first time.
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Wasn’t sure if I should add this thread but decided to in case someone else is searching for this topic in the future. Moderators, do what you will!
It happened again last night, different guests! I think it’s a combination of the British Columbia smoke that’s in the air here, and our oversensitive smoke detectors. We will be changing out these suckers as soon as these guests depart, probably to Nest.
Anyway, we know they heard this one because they messaged us in the morning. Further, they had internet issues last night. Their messages were really friendly and they have not asked for compensation. However, I feel so bad about their experience and want to offer them something. What would you offer?
Are they staying a couple more days? maybe buy a box of local chocolates and a card apologizing for the false alarm?
That’s a nice idea. I also thought about a nice bottle of wine or a bag of whole bean coffee. They depart tomorrow.
You never know for sure if someone drinks alcohol or coffee, or eats sugar.
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It’s the thought that counts. They could always re-gift it. 
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