It’s no secret that, whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, carbon monoxide (CO) monitors are necessary for your well-being. However, you may not be sure where to install CO alarms, and where not to. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly where to install CO alarms and how to get the most out of them through maintenance and other preventative measures. Let’s get started! Regardless of the size or layout of your home, install CO alarms: You should install CO alarms at least 5 feet over the floor, as CO is lighter than air and rises. You can also install the CO alarm on a ceiling if you prefer. You could get false alerts or even damage to your device if you install a CO alarm: Unlike smoke, which attacks all of the senses, CO is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, so you can’t detect it without a CO alarm. If you inhale too much CO, it could be fatal. In fact, at least 440 people in the U.S.
die from accidental CO poisoning every year, while another 50,000 visit the emergency room.3 Although CO and smoke alarms are often combined into one device, they work differently. Smoke is detected by flaming or smoldering fires, while CO is detected by faulty fuel-burning devices. To learn more about smoke alarms, read our
fire safety tips. How Do I Install My CO Alarm?How you’ll install your CO alarm will depend on the make and model you choose, differing by manufacturer. However, if you are installing a wireless model with a separate mounting base, this is the process you’ll follow generally:
How To Maintain CO AlarmsJust because you’re done installing your CO alarm does not mean that you’re done taking care of it. Follow these tips for maintenance:
What To Look For in a CO AlarmWhere do you start in your search for the best CO detector? Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Are CO Alarms Mandatory?While many states mandate the use of CO detectors, exact requirements vary. For example, some states require every room to have detectors, while some only require them in rooms with smoke alarms. In other states, only day care centers and group homes need detectors. Most states have at least some laws surrounding CO detectors. These states require them in all new construction:
The following states plus Washington, D.C., require CO alarms in private dwellings:
Other states require CO alarms in private dwellings through either the adoption of the International Residential Code or the state’s building code:
Pro Tip: To find your state’s laws surrounding CO alarms, go to its official legislative website or ask your local fire department. Cove Smoke DetectorWhat To Do if Your CO Alarm Goes OffIf your CO alarm goes off, take these steps immediately to protect yourself:
What Is Carbon Monoxide?Carbon monoxide, often abbreviated as CO, is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that is poisonous. It often comes from the incomplete burning of materials that contain carbon.10 CO combines with hemoglobin, a protein molecule that carries oxygen in red blood cells, and takes away oxygen from people’s brains and organs, which can result in death. How Much CO Is Too Much?CO is measured in parts per million. Dangerous levels of CO begin at a minimum of 70 parts per million and go all the way up to 400 parts per million, as you can see in the below chart.
Symptoms of CO PoisoningThe symptoms of CO poisoning depend on how much of it you’re exposed to. Often, victims know something is wrong but are too disoriented to get themselves out of the exposed area, which is why it’s important to detect CO as early as possible. Note: If you are sleeping or drunk, you could die of CO poisoning without having any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mild ExposureMild exposure can result in flu-like systems such as nausea, fatigue, a slight headache, and vomiting. Medium ExposureMedium exposure causes severe headaches, confusion, drowsiness, and a rapid heart rate. Even medium exposure to CO can result in death. Extreme ExposureIn the most extreme cases of CO exposure, people will convulse, lose consciousness, experience heart and lung failure, and possibly die. Out of the survivors of CO poisoning, up to 40 percent have memory impairment or other serious illnesses. Who Is at Risk of CO Poisoning?Everyone’s at risk of CO poisoning, as we all need oxygen to survive. However, some groups are at a higher risk, as they need more oxygen than most. These are some of those groups:
Where Does CO Come From?CO comes from a number of sources in your home, including these:
Other Ways To Prevent CO PoisoningAside from installing and maintaining a CO alarm, here are some other ways to protect yourself and your family from CO poisoning:
RecapDeciding where to place your CO alarms is only the first step in protecting yourself from CO poisoning. You also need to keep up with the maintenance, as CO can be poisonous even in small amounts. Keep on reading to find answers to the questions we get the most about CO alarms. Where do you put a carbon monoxide detector high or low?Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that's near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it's easy to read.
Where do carbon monoxide detectors get installed?A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed on every floor of a home, including the basement and near sleeping areas. It should also be installed near or over an attached garage at least 5 feet off the floor or on the ceiling.
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