Carbon monoxide may pose more of a risk during the winter months; Doors and windows tend to remain closed, and there may be periods when air circulation is not as good as in the warmer months. Additionally, furnaces, stoves, water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces tend to be used more during the winter months, thus increasing the risk of carbon monoxide accumulation indoors. Since carbon monoxide has no smell or color, you can succumb to CO poisoning without realizing it, which is why detectors are so important.

Where should you place your CO detectors?

At the very least, just like with a smoke detector, you should install a battery-powered or battery-powered CO detector on every level of your home. HKM Because you’re less likely to notice the effects of CO poisoning while you sleep, he recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector in every sleeping area of ​​your home. A CO detector should be placed within 20 feet of every fuel-powered appliance in your home, as it is the source of carbon monoxide leaks. To ensure proper operation, ensure carbon monoxide detectors are unobstructed and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Where should you not place your CO detectors?

Since all wood, gas, or oil-burning appliances will produce some carbon monoxide, it is not a good idea to place a standard CO alarm in the chimney or directly above the stove or fireplace. However, placing a detector five to 20 feet away from your fuel-burning appliance will allow you to evaluate whether your chimney or ventilation system is working to remove excess CO from your home. Another place to avoid putting a CO detector is in a closet or other enclosed area; A blocked CO detector may not be able to read ambient CO2 in the environment.

What type of detector should you use?

You should always choose one carbon monoxide alarm From a trusted brand with the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL) label. With carbon monoxide detector digital reading It can read you the CO level in your home and set off an alarm to warn you if the level gets too high. This can be helpful if you need to treat someone for CO exposure and can also help you evaluate the cause of your CO emergency. A CO alarm with digital readout will also let you know when it’s time to replace it by signaling “done” on the display.

How often should you change batteries in CO alarms?

You should replace your carbon monoxide alarm batteries every six months. To remember to do this on time, change the batteries in all your detectors, including smoke and CO detectors. when you reset your clocks for daylight saving time. If you live in a state that doesn’t participate in daylight saving time, you’ll need to set a reminder in your calendar.

How often do CO detectors need to be replaced?

You should replace your carbon monoxide alarm every five years, or sooner if the manufacturer recommends it. This is because if your CO alarm becomes obsolete, it will not be effective in alerting you to potential danger. Similar to smoke alarms, CO alarms must be updated every few years to meet current safety standards. If you have a model that doesn’t have a display to let you know when you need to replace it, set a reminder for yourself to make sure you don’t forget to replace it.