Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Where In Your Home Should You Place Them? < Return
If carbon monoxide gets into your home, there’s really only one way to detect it, and that’s with a carbon monoxide detector. Even if you don’t use a form of combustion heating, such as a furnace or fireplace, carbon monoxide is still a threat to be respected. Common household appliances and tools, lawn equipment, and even your automobiles produce this deadly, invisible gas. That’s why experts recommend installing at least one detection device in your home.But just installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home isn’t enough. For maximum protection, it is essential to install these devices in the most appropriate areas of your home.
Ideally, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed:
- Within 15 feet of where household occupants sleep
- On the wall—no lower than eye level and no higher than 10 feet
- On each level of your home, including the basement
- A reasonable distance away from known sources of carbon monoxide—close enough to detect trouble, but far enough away to avoid false positives
- Away from high-humidity areas—a shower, for example
Remember, there are two basic types of carbon monoxide detectors—one operates on electricity, and one on batteries. Even if you decide to go the electric route, we recommend choosing a model that features battery backup. Often, it’s during a power outage that carbon monoxide poses the greatest threat, thanks to alternative forms of heating, so it’s a good idea to extend that protection in any way you can.
With that in mind, carbon monoxide detectors should always be placed in areas that are relatively easy to access. That way you can test and/or change the batteries regularly.
Whether you’re installing your first carbon monoxide detector or adding additional detection devices, our trained technicians can provide the guidance necessary to help ensure your family’s safety. For an expert consultation, contact Simpson Air – the "Coolest Guys" in the Tampa Bay area.
Carbon Monoxide detector image via Shutterstock.
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