Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) gas is potentially deadly, but because this gas is odorless and colorless, you need a carbon monoxide detector to know it’s there. Just putting up a detector somewhere isn’t enough, though. These devices must be correctly installed to protect you year round, particularly in the chilly Dayton winters when you’re using the furnace and fireplace.
Where to Put Your Detectors
There should be at least one CO detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. Carbon monoxide tends to build up on one floor. You could be fine on one floor, then head to another and be overcome with fumes.
Place a detector within 15 feet of every sleeping area. Within 10 feet is even better. This applies primarily to bedrooms, but if someone regularly sleeps in the living room, install a detector there, too. If you have two bedroom doors less than 30 feet apart, install one carbon monoxide detector between them.
Put a detector within 15 feet of the door connecting the attached garage to the house. This will alert you to carbon monoxide coming from a vehicle or equipment left running.
Height matters, too. Install your detectors on the wall around two feet below the ceiling.
Where Detectors Shouldn’t Go
Keep your detectors at least 15 feet away from any fuel-burning appliances, such as the gas stove, gas water heater or fireplace. Too close, and the detector will produce false alarms. Likewise, make sure the detector won’t be hit by direct sunlight or heat from an appliance.
Avoid placing a carbon monoxide detector behind furniture, curtains or any other item that will block airflow and prevent the device from sensing CO in the air.
Because CO detectors are sensitive to humidity, don’t put them in the bathroom, kitchen or any other room with a lot of moisture in the air.
Test your detectors every month by pressing the “test” button. If no alarm sounds and you know the batteries are good, replace the detector. Put in fresh batteries once a year.
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