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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Columbus House

Residents must defend against a variety of risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about a danger that you are unable to see or smell? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers because you might never know it’s there. Nevertheless, implementing CO detectors can effectively protect you and your household. Learn more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Columbus residence.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Called the silent killer due to its lack of color, taste, or odor, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion. Any appliance that utilizes fuels like a furnace or fireplace can generate carbon monoxide. While you normally won’t have a problem, issues can crop up when an appliance is not frequently serviced or properly vented. These oversights could lead to a proliferation of this potentially deadly gas in your home. Heating appliances and generators are commonly responsible for CO poisoning.

When exposed to low amounts of CO, you might suffer from fatigue, headaches, dizziness nausea, or vomiting. Continuous exposure to high levels can result in cardiopulmonary arrest, and potentially death.

Tips For Where To Place Columbus Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home lacks a carbon monoxide detector, purchase one now. If possible, you should have one on each level of your home, including basements. Here are some tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Columbus:

  • Put them on each floor, especially where you use fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, gas dryers, fireplaces, and water heaters.
  • You should always install one within 10 feet of sleeping areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • install them approximately 10 to 20 feet from sources of CO.
  • Do not position them immediately beside or above fuel-burning appliances, as a little carbon monoxide may be discharged when they kick on and set off a false alarm.
  • Attach them to walls at least five feet from the floor so they can test air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them next to windows or doors and in dead-air places.
  • Install one in areas above attached garages.

Test your CO detectors regularly and maintain them according to manufacturer guidelines. You will generally have to switch them out in six years or less. You should also make sure any fuel-burning appliances are in in good working order and have adequate ventilation.