TERRIBLE ADVICE. Many devices do not work this way, many devices are connected to alarm systems and though you may not hear it, it could sending an alarm to your alarm company to send the fire department, which can be very costly. If your smoke detector is going off when it shouldn't be, it's either operator error because youre or poor installation which you are supposed to move the detector to the appropriate distance so it doesn't go off in error. Contact an alarm technician if you're unsure and let your alarm company know you're mucking with sensors on your system if you are monitored, or have them come take care of it for you. Edit: often you will find a button on a smoke detector that is used as a 'test' button, which sends an alarm signal to the alarm company, you can inadvertently tell your alarm company to send the fire department.