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Carbon Monoxide Detector Buying Guide
Often dubbed the "silent killer," carbon monoxide (CO) is a is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas that's undetectable by humans. Carbon monoxide detectors monitor CO levels in your home and alert you when the gas reaches dangerous levels. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home to protect your family from this lethal threat.
About Carbon Monoxide
Smoke, Carbon Monoxide and Radon Detectors
Carbon monoxide is produced by a number of common household sources, including wood or gas fireplaces, gas or oil furnaces, wood stoves, gas appliances, a clogged chimney or improper venting in a garage. Today's energy-efficient, airtight homes contribute to the problem by decreasing the exchange of inside and outside air. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning increases in the evenings when the house is closed and you are asleep.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning mimic those of the flu, so you might not realize you are being poisoned until damage has been done. Carbon monoxide alarms tell you when the level of the gas in the air has become dangerous.
They best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to keep all utilities and appliances maintained. Make sure that your home has the proper safety equipment and that your family knows how to use it.
Choosing a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide detectors come with a variety of features including test buttons, silence buttons and visual indicators of the alarm. Before you purchase your alarm:
- Research local codes. They may specify requirements for carbon monoxide detector placement and number.
- Consider combination smoke / CO alarms. Some of these detectors feature voice notification that will tell you if the threat is fire or carbon monoxide.
- Look for a carbon monoxide detector with sensors that record the levels of the gas in the air. That information can help determine the source of the problem.
- Make sure hard-wired models have a battery back up. Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors can be battery-operated or hard-wired. Buying a model with battery back up ensures your detector works even if there's a power outage.
- Buy a detector that alerts you when the battery needs replacing.
- Get a model with an "End of Life" warning feature. It alerts you when the unit itself needs to be replaced.
Installation and Placement
Install a Smoke / Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing a carbon monoxide detector.
- Place a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, and within 15 feet of each sleeping area. This ensures everyone can hear the alarm, even if their door is closed.