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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Jefferson City House

Homeowners must defend against a variety of risks like fire, burglary, and flooding. But what about a risk that you are unable to see or smell? Carbon monoxide is different from other risks as you might never realize it’s there. Even so, installing CO detectors can effectively safeguard your loved ones and property. Explore more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Jefferson City home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Called the silent killer because of its absence of color, taste, or odor, carbon monoxide is a common gas caused by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that utilizes fuels like an oven or fireplace may generate carbon monoxide. Even though you normally won’t have a problem, difficulties can present when an appliance is not frequently serviced or adequately vented. These missteps may cause a build-up of this dangerous gas in your residence. Generators and heaters of various types are the most consistent reasons for CO poisoning.

When subjected to lower amounts of CO, you may notice headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to elevated concentrations may cause cardiorespiratory failure, coma, and death.

Suggestions For Where To Place Jefferson City Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t use a carbon monoxide detector in your home, purchase one today. If possible, you should have one on every floor of your home, and that includes basements. Review these suggestions on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Jefferson City:

  • Place them on every floor, particularly in places where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas dryers.
  • Always use one within 10 feet of bedrooms. If you only have one carbon monoxide detector, this is where it should go.
  • Place them about 10 to 20 feet from potential CO sources.
  • Do not affix them directly above or beside fuel-consuming appliances, as a bit of carbon monoxide could be discharged when they kick on and trigger a false alarm.
  • Fasten them to walls approximately five feet off the floor so they can measure air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them beside doors or windows and in dead-air areas.
  • Install one in rooms above attached garages.

Test your CO detectors regularly and maintain them according to manufacturer recommendations. You will usually have to switch them out every five to six years. You should also make sure any fuel-burning appliances are in in optimal working condition and have adequate ventilation.