In the Twin Cities area, where the cold winters make gas furnaces and fireplaces popular, testing carbon monoxide detectors is an essential part of home maintenance. Keeping them in shape just might save your life some day.
CO Detectors Defend Your Health
If you use any appliance that burns fuel, such as gas, propane, oil or wood, your home needs carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Fuel-burning appliances can malfunction and release potentially lethal amounts of CO gas. Odorless and colorless, this gas is impossible to detect without special equipment.
If a CO leak happens while you’re asleep, you could fall unconscious and die without ever waking. Low levels of CO also reduce your indoor air quality (IAQ) and cause health issues, including fatigue and headaches.
A detector sounds an alarm to let you know when CO is present so you can take action to protect your health. A detector should be installed on every floor, within 10 feet of every sleeping area and near the door of your attached garage.
CO detectors usually last between five and seven years, but exposure to heat or humidity can cause them to fail early. For this reason, they should be kept at least 10 feet from the kitchen and bathroom.
Test Your Detectors Regularly
Carbon monoxide detectors are not set and then forgotten. Testing carbon monoxide detectors is essential to keep them ready to do their job. Most contain batteries that can run low and prevent the detector from working.
To make sure a detector is still operational, press the test button at least once a month. The detector should beep in response. You can also test the detector by holding a minor source of CO, such as a lit cigarette or candle, near it. This should set off the alarm
If the detector doesn’t work, try installing fresh batteries. Purchase a new detector if it still doesn’t work.
To get more pro tips on installing and testing carbon monoxide detectors, and learn other ways to keep your home safe, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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