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Carbon monoxide detector attached to wall of home
January 08, 2024

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Ann Arbor Residence

Residents must defend against numerous risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about something that can’t be discerned by human senses? Carbon monoxide creates an uncommon challenge as you might never know it’s there. Nevertheless, using CO detectors can easily shield your loved ones and property. Find out more about this hazardous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Ann Arbor residence.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Referred to as the silent killer due to its lack of color, odor, or taste, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas formed by an incomplete combustion of fuels. Any fuel-consuming appliance like a fireplace or furnace may create carbon monoxide. While you typically won’t have any trouble, complications can present when an appliance is not frequently serviced or properly vented. These missteps could cause a build-up of the potentially lethal gas in your interior. Heating appliances and generators are the most consistent reasons for CO poisoning.

When exposed to low levels of CO, you might experience dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to elevated concentrations may lead to cardiopulmonary arrest, coma, and death.

Tips For Where To Place Ann Arbor Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home doesn’t have a carbon monoxide detector, get one now. Ideally, you ought to have one on every level of your home, including basements. Review these tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Ann Arbor:

  • Install them on each floor, particularly where you have fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, fireplaces, gas dryers, and water heaters.
  • You should always have one no more than 10 feet away from bedroom areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • Position them approximately 10 to 20 feet from sources of CO.
  • Avoid affixing them directly beside or above fuel-burning appliances, as a little carbon monoxide may be emitted when they turn on and set off a false alarm.
  • Fasten them to walls approximately five feet from the floor so they can test air where people are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them beside doors or windows and in dead-air places.
  • Put one in spaces above attached garages.

Check your CO detectors routinely and maintain them according to manufacturer recommendations. You will typically have to replace units every five to six years. You should also ensure any fuel-consuming appliances are in in good working shape and have proper ventilation.