Here’s a little Southie PSA that could save lives: If your smoke detector is going off, please don’t take it down and throw it away because the noise is annoying.

Recently, a smoke detector was found in a dumpster on Seventh Street, still sounding its alarm after apparently being removed from a home. BFD had to respond to a call for a smoke detector going off in the neighborhood.  When firefighters arrived, they had to search for it and found it in a dumpster on the street.  We get it — that chirping or beeping can drive you crazy. But a smoke alarm is trying to tell you something, and you’re putting your entire block in danger. So don’t remove the smoke detector from your ceiling.

If it’s beeping, check the detector, replace the battery if needed, and make sure the alarm itself hasn’t expired.

According to the City of Boston, smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and near bedrooms, tested monthly, and replaced every 10 years. Backup batteries should also be changed every six months.

If you’re a renter and your smoke or carbon monoxide detectors are expired or aren’t working, contact your landlord rather than removing them. If the issue isn’t addressed, the City recommends contacting the Boston Fire Department for assistance.

Bottom line: Smoke detectors save lives. Don’t disable them just to stop the noise. Don’t be a knucklehead. Seems like common sense but I guess it isn’t since we had to write this.

Learn more about fire and carbon monoxide safety from the City of Boston