4 Essential Things to Know Before Installing a Carbon Monoxide Detector at Home
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is often referred to as a ‘silent killer’ due to being tasteless and having no smell. It’s formed as a by-product of burning carbon fuel and released when your car uses gasoline or your stove takes in natural gas.
Breathing in this deadly gas can cause severe damage to health as it enters your bloodstream immediately. NHS UK reports around 60 deaths due to accidental carbon monoxide inhalation per year.
Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home can help raise an alert in case of any leaks and help you prevent a life-threatening situation. Below, we have compiled a list of 4 essential things you need to know before getting a carbon monoxide detector at home.
1. Main Sources of a Potential Leak
Since this gas is produced when any device burns carbon fuel, the main sources of potential leaks are:
- Wood or gas fireplace
- Water heaters
- Gas or wood stoves
- Furnace and boilers
Be sure to get all these devices serviced and undergo professional maintenance every year to prevent any hazardous leaks from occurring.
2. What Does the Detector Do?
Carbon monoxide detectors are one of the most important elements of your home security. They have special biomimetic and electrochemical sensors that can detect the levels of this gas and trigger an alarm when it reaches a dangerous percentage.
At low concentrations of up to 50 ppm, the alarm won’t ring for up to eight hours (after which even this concentration becomes dangerous). With higher concentrations of over 150 ppm, the alarm responds immediately.
3. Picking the Right Carbon Monoxide Detector for Home
As a general rule of thumb, always pick a recognizable brand for your home security measures. This is even more significant for a carbon monoxide detector since it can prevent life and death situations.
You will find an overwhelming variety of detectors in the store. To find the right one for your home, you will need to consider its features and the price point.
Simple models that use a battery to operate or need to be plugged into an electric outlet are cheap and suitable for multi-room installation.
Other, more complex models come at a higher price point but combine carbon monoxide and smoke detection so you get a 2 in 1 option and can reduce the number of sensors on your ceilings.
There are also smart detectors available that integrate within the rest of your home security and send alerts on your mobile app in case of any danger.
4. Where Should You Install the Detectors
All the areas where possible leaks can occur should have a detector. Additionally, they should be placed to ensure everyone in the house can hear the alarm – particularly when sleeping. Install a carbon monoxide detector in:
- Every bedroom
- Doors leading to the garage
- One on every level of the house
At the End
In case of any leak detection, the first course of action is to stay calm. Gather your family and pets, quickly evacuate the house, and move to an open air space to prevent suffocation.
For expert installation of the right carbon monoxide detector at your home, visit our website today!