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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Rochester Residence

Property owners must defend against numerous risks like fire, flooding, and burglary. But what about a danger that can’t be discerned by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other risks as you might never realize it’s there. Even so, using CO detectors can easily safeguard yourself and your household. Learn more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Rochester home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Called the silent killer due to its absence of color, odor, or taste, carbon monoxide is a commonly found gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that uses fuels like a fireplace or furnace may create carbon monoxide. Although you normally won’t have problems, difficulties can crop up when equipment is not frequently inspected or appropriately vented. These missteps may lead to an accumulation of this potentially deadly gas in your home. Heating appliances and generators are commonly responsible for CO poisoning.

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

Recommendations For Where To Place Rochester Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t use a carbon monoxide detector in your home, buy one now. Preferably, you should have one on each level of your home, and that includes basements. Browse these tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Rochester:

  • Place them on every floor, particularly where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, such as fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, and gas dryers.
  • Always use one within 10 feet of sleeping areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is where to put it.
  • Position them about 10 to 20 feet away from potential CO sources.
  • Do not affix them immediately above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as a non-hazardous amount of carbon monoxide may be discharged when they kick on and trigger a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls approximately five feet from the floor so they may test air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them in dead-air areas and beside windows or doors.
  • Place one in rooms above attached garages.

Inspect your CO detectors routinely and maintain them per manufacturer instructions. You will typically need to replace units every five to six years. You should also ensure any fuel-utilizing appliances are in in optimal working condition and have appropriate ventilation.