Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Placement

A carbon monoxide (CO) detector should be located near the sleeping areas of a home, with additional detectors on each level. Place them near the center of the room, away from air vents or fans. To avoid false alarms, do not place your CO detector in the kitchen, garage, bathroom, or other unventilated room. Avoid areas where cleaning supplies, chemical fumes, humidity, and temperature extremes are present.

Choosing a CO Detector

Carbon monoxide detectors provide early warning of a hazardous condition, much like smoke detectors. CO detectors are available at many hardware and department stores in a variety of price ranges. When selecting a residential CO detector, consumers should look for a product that meets UL Standard 2034.

• Choose a detector that alerts the consumer to both sudden peaks in CO levels and extended low levels of CO in the home.
• CO detectors react at varying levels of CO; your detector should be capable of sensing levels as low as one part per million.
• CO detectors are available in electric models, which plug into an ordinary wall outlet, or battery-operated models.
• Detectors with digital readouts help consumers to monitor CO levels routinely.
• Look for models with a reset / test button, which allows the consumer to properly maintain the unit.
• The unit should provide an audible alarm that sounds at around 85 decibels.

For More Information

For more information about CO detectors, contact the Fire Department at 262-785-6120.