Placement Essential for CO Detectors

Homeowners who use fuel-burning appliances or gas heat should know that carbon monoxide detectors are essential for saving lives. The key to keeping your home and your family safe is knowing where to place the them, so that members of your family are alerted immediately, should there be a danger.

CO (carbon monoxide) may be generated in a variety of ways; open flames, water heaters, space heaters and chimneys that are blocked may be sources of this odorless, invisible gas that puts your family at risk.

Where should you place the carbon monoxide detectors in your home for the greatest protection?

  • If your home has more than one level, make certain a detector is placed on each floor.
  • According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, one detector should be placed in every bedroom in the home so that a sleeping individual will be easily alerted.
  • If you only have one detector, it is recommended that you place it near the sleeping area.
  • When placed on a wall, carbon monoxide detectors should be located about 5 feet above floor level on the wall, as CO may rise higher in the air when contained in warmer air emitted by home heating sources and other combustion appliances.
  • The ceiling is another good place for the device, because the gas does tend to rise.   Never place the detector close to a light source.
  • One place you want to avoid placing a detector is close to a fireplace or another fuel-burning appliance.   Some of these appliances emit a tiny amount of carbon monoxide when starting, such as a gas stove.   Placing a detector closer than 15 feet to these appliances may result in unnecessary alerts.

While placing carbon monoxide detectors in a hallway is something many homeowners do, it’s best to place the devices in the areas mentioned above.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

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