There was a time when smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were a rarity, but now, most newer homes come with them already installed, while owners of older homes commonly install them. But while most homeowners know you have to either replace batteries or check for loose connections and fraying with wired-in models, a good many may not realize that both types of detectors have an expiration date. That means you need to plan to replace detectors when or even before that expiration date arrives.
Getting Best Performance From Your Detectors
Smoke detectors are pretty straightforward. A fire starts, smoke occurs and the detector should pick it up and sound an alarm.
Carbon monoxide detectors on the other hand sense CO — a deadly colorless and odorless gas that is a byproduct of the combustion process — and alert the home’s occupants when the gas reaches certain levels.
Monitors should be placed around the home strategically, in this manner:
Smoke detectors:
- inside each bedroom
- outside each sleeping area
- on every level of the home, including the basement
- in the living room
- near the stairway to an upper level
- high on the wall or ceiling
CO detectors:
- on every floor, at knee level, unless you have children who might tamper with them
- near every sleeping area
- no place where airflow might be blocked
These monitors should all be tested periodically to ensure they are working. Change batteries regularly, or for wired models, check for loose or frayed wires.
Replacing Monitors
Eventually, all your monitors should be replaced: CO monitors every 5-7 years and smoke alarms every 10 years. If you have a monitor without an expiration date, it’s probably already old as expiration dates have been the norm only recently.
When you replace your CO monitor, look for a model with a fuel cell electro-chemical sensor, which is more sensitive. Other features to look for are a digital readout and a peak level retention memory, which are helpful to emergency personnel responding to your home.
To learn more about how to replace detectors, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We serve Dayton and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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