The Importance of Regularly Checking Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Your Home

Carbon monoxide is poisonous, and it can be produced in your home when fuel-burning appliances like water heaters and furnaces malfunction. Since you can’t smell or see this gas, it’s important to install carbon monoxide detectors for protection. An average of 170 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S. Don’t put your family at risk. Here’s what you need to know.

Location

Install carbon monoxide detectors near the bedrooms in your home. If all the bedrooms in your home are located in a single hallway, place a carbon monoxide detector in that hallway. If the bedrooms are spread out over the house, you’ll need more than one. Just make sure each bedroom is within range of a carbon monoxide detector.

Batteries

Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors must be regularly checked for battery effectiveness. It’s a good idea to test the batteries once per month and to install fresh batteries every six months. Some people change their batteries when they change their clocks for

Daylight Saving

Time; linking these jobs helps you to remember your carbon monoxide detectors. How to Test Your Alarm Check the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how to test your carbon monoxide detector’s alarm. If you no longer have your instructions, try these steps:

• Locate the test button.
• Press and hold the test button for at least three seconds.
• Listen for a beep that tells you the alarm is working.
• Release the test button.

If the alarm fails the test, change the batteries. If this doesn’t help, replace the entire alarm. By following these simple guidelines, you can keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, maintaining your fuel-burning appliances will significantly reduce the chances that carbon monoxide will make its way into your home.

To learn more, contact us at Sobieski Services, Inc. Our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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