Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most hazardous gases found in the home. Dubbed the “silent killer,” CO gas is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating, yet it can cause unconsciousness, brain damage or death. Because of this, more than 400 people die of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning each year, a steeper fatality rate than any other type of poisoning.
As the weather cools off, you close up your home for the winter and trust in heating appliances to stay warm. This is where the risk of carbon monoxide inhalation is highest. The good news is you can protect your family from carbon monoxide in different ways. One of the most effective methods is to install CO detectors around your home. Use this guide to help you understand where carbon monoxide is produced and how to make the most of your CO alarms.
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Therefore, this gas is produced whenever a fuel source burns, including natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, gasoline, woo, and more. Prevalent causes of carbon monoxide in a house include:
No, smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide. Alternatively, they sound an alarm when they sense a certain level of smoke produced by a fire. Having functional smoke detectors reduces the risk of dying in a house fire by nearly 55 percent.
Smoke detectors come in two primary types—ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors. Ionization detection functions well with fast-moving fires that emit large flames, while photoelectric detection is more effective with smoldering, smoky fires. The newest smoke detectors include both types of alarms in a single unit to increase the chance of sensing a fire, no matter how it burns.
Unmistakably, smoke detectors and CO alarms are equally important home safety devices. If you check the ceiling and notice an alarm of some kind, you won’t always know whether it’s a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide alarm. The visual discrepancy is determined by the brand and model you have. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
The number of CO alarms you need depends on your home’s size, the number of stories and bedroom arrangement. Follow these guidelines to guarantee thorough coverage:
Depending on the model, the manufacturer may recommend monthly tests and resetting to sustain proper functionality. Also, replace the batteries in battery-powered units every six months. For hardwired units, replace the backup battery annually or when the alarm starts chirping, whichever starts first. Then, replace the CO detector entirely every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
It only takes a minute to test your CO detector. Read the instruction manual for directions specific to your unit, knowing that testing follows this general procedure:
Replace the batteries if the unit isn’t performing as expected after the test. If replacement batteries don’t help, replace the detector immediately.
You only need to reset your unit once the alarm goes off, after testing the device or after swapping the batteries. Some models automatically reset themselves within 10 minutes of these events, while others require a manual reset. The instruction manual will note which function applies.
Follow these steps to reset your CO detector manually:
If you don’t hear a beep or see a flash, try the reset again or replace the batteries. If it’s still not working, troubleshoot your carbon monoxide alarm with help from the manufacturer, or replace the detector.
Use these steps to protect your home and family:
With the proper precautions, there’s no need to fear carbon monoxide exposure in your home. In addition to installing CO alarms, it’s crucial to maintain your fuel-burning appliances, namely as winter starts.
The team at Matz-Rightway is qualified to inspect, clean, diagnose and repair problems with furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other combustion appliances. We know what signs indicate a likely carbon monoxide leak— such as excessive soot, rusted flue pipes and a yellow, flickering burner flame—along with the necessary repairs to prevent them.
Do you still have questions or concerns about CO exposure? Is it time to schedule annual heating services? Contact Matz-Rightway for more information.
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