If, as suggested, the smoke alarm might have been stored in a drawer somewhere, the beeps will eventually cease when the batteries discharge a little more.

Unfortunately, thoroughly discharged batteries do have a tendency to leak, and the ultimate result will be destruction of the alarm - and some very irritating holes in your shorts (or whatever else was in the vicinity) when you do finally find the thing.

If clothing is affected, it might be hoped that the holes will be prominent enough to prompt thorough washing before wearing, as even a little bit of battery juice can be quite unkind to tender body parts.

(BTDT)

John