If you have any appliances that are powered by propane, natural gas or fuel oil in your Clearwater home, you should make sure that you have carbon monoxide detectors installed to protect your family at all times. In order to function properly, the detectors must be installed in the correct locations and the following tips will help you decide where to place them and how to take care of them after they are installed.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can’t be seen, smelled or tasted, and it interferes with your body’s ability to absorb oxygen. It’s released by fuel-burning appliances that aren’t adjusted properly or operating correctly, including furnaces, stoves and water heaters. If you’re exposed to carbon monoxide, you may develop symptoms similar to the flu or food poisoning, including nausea, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. Continued exposure may lead to confusion, loss of consciousness and eventually death.
Where to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are the only sure way to protect your family. At the minimum, you should install one outside bedrooms in a central location. For the best protection, there should be one installed in each level of the home, along with one outside of every bedroom. Don’t install them within 15 feet of combustion appliances and avoid positioning them in or near humid locations like bathrooms to avoid false positives. For specific mounting locations, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider purchasing models that feature both smoke and carbon monoxide detection for enhanced protection.
How to Maintain Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Keep the outside of each detector clean, especially any vents through which the air is sampled. Replace the batteries in battery-operated models at least twice a year, and replace the backup batteries in plug-in models yearly. Use the “test” function when replacing the batteries to confirm operation and replace the detectors at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.
To learn more about the importance of carbon monoxide detectors, contact our team at Senica Air Conditioning, Inc., Inc.
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