Importance of a Carbon Monoxide Detector

It is very likely you have smoke detectors in your home, after all, you want to keep your family safe and be able to get out in time in case of fire. What you may not have installed-which is just as important-are carbon monoxide detectors.

What Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Do?

First let’s look at what carbon monoxide is. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. If you have any fuel-burning appliance in your home this is where carbon monoxide is produced. These appliances may include a furnace, water heater, or fireplace.

Carbon monoxide poses a risk because it can build up in your home if there is a malfunction in one of these systems.  Due to the fact that most houses are sealed so well these days, carbon monoxide can quickly accumulate in the air.

When there is a carbon monoxide leak, the carbon monoxide can quickly replace the oxygen in the air. This toxic gas is then inhaled, resulting in serious harm to you and your family.

Carbon monoxide detectors monitor your home’s air and like a smoke detector send a sharp loud signal out when there is carbon monoxide found in your home’s air.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

To get the most from installed carbon monoxide detectors they should be installed in certain areas of your home, including:

  • At least one on each floor of your home.
  • One in every bedroom.
  • At the top of stairways leading to upper floors and at the bottom of stairways in a basement.
  • One or more in each hallway outside of a bedroom, depending on how long the hallway is.

Hiring a professional to install carbon monoxide detectors will ensure that your detectors are placed in the right spots throughout your home and that the detectors are working properly.

What to Do If Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Goes Off

If your carbon monoxide detector sounds the alarm you should immediately turn off all appliances and any other combustible sources, you should then let fresh air into your home by opening doors or windows. If possible head outside and call a qualified technician. It is better to be safe than sorry and staying inside your home could potentially make you very ill. Make sure you have everyone out then wait till a professional makes it to your home and corrects the problem.

If you need carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home, contact the team at Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning. We can install carbon monoxide detectors correctly in your home without too much interruption to your day. Our team are fully qualified experts who will work with you to make sure your home is safe.