Homeowners should check to see if their item is a photoelectric- or ionization-based smoked detector, which will determine if it contains hazardous chemicals and cannot be thrown away in your regular trash.
To determine whether or not your detector is an ionization type, look on the back; it should either have the letter "I" or say ionization. If it is this type of smoke detector, it must be sent back to the manufacturer for disposal.
Click here for more information on how to proceed with mailing back to the manufacturer.