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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Utica House

Residents must safeguard against a variety of risks like fire, burglary, and flooding. But what about a risk that can’t be perceived by human senses? Carbon monoxide poses a unique challenge as you might never realize it’s there. Despite that, implementing CO detectors can simply protect your loved ones and property. Find out more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Utica home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer due to its absence of odor, taste, or color, carbon monoxide is a commonly found gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion. Any fuel-burning appliance like an oven or fireplace may create carbon monoxide. Even though you typically won’t have any trouble, difficulties can crop up when equipment is not routinely serviced or adequately vented. These missteps can result in a build-up of this dangerous gas in your interior. Heating appliances and generators are the most frequent reasons for CO poisoning.

When in contact with minute amounts of CO, you may notice headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Continuous exposure to elevated concentrations could cause cardiorespiratory arrest, and even death.

Recommendations On Where To Place Utica Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t use at least one carbon monoxide detector in your residence, buy one today. Ideally, you should use one on each level of your home, and that includes basements. Here are some tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Utica:

  • Install them on each level, specifically in places where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, like water heaters, furnaces, gas dryers, and fireplaces.
  • You should always install one within 10 feet of bedroom areas. If you only have one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • Place them approximately 10 to 20 feet away from potential CO sources.
  • Avoid affixing them right above or beside fuel-consuming appliances, as a non-threatening amount of carbon monoxide may be emitted when they start and set off a false alarm.
  • Attach them to walls at least five feet above the ground so they may test air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them in dead-air areas and next to doors or windows.
  • Install one in areas above attached garages.

Inspect your CO detectors often and maintain them per manufacturer recommendations. You will usually need to switch them out in six years or less. You should also make sure any fuel-utilizing appliances are in in proper working shape and sufficiently vented.