At low levels, the symptoms of carbon monoxide at first are seemingly innocent and could be taken as signs of other conditions–headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Higher levels of CO poisoning resume in progressively worse symptoms such as mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, loss of consciousness and ultimately death. To properly install a carbon monoxide detector, you need to know where to place them and how many you’ll need to keep your family safe.
Investing in a carbon monoxide detector is very important for protecting you and your family’s lives. Read through our buyer’s guide to find the right CO detectors for your home. Once you have the right CO detectors, you’ll need to place them throughout your home.
1. CO detectors should be placed on every level of your home, including the basement and near, or over, any attached garage.
2. They should be located within 10 – 15 feet outside of each separate sleeping area.
3. CO detectors can be placed on the wall or the ceiling. Follow instructions for your specific unit.
4. Do not install detectors within 15 – 20 feet of any furnace or fuel burning heat source. This can cause your carbon monoxide detector to false alarm.
5. Detectors should not be placed in or near humid areas, such as bathrooms.
6. Place CO alarms where they will not be damaged by small children and pets.
7. Do not install alarms in areas with direct sunlight or exposed to areas with extreme temps such as crawlspaces, uninsulated attics ,and porches.
8. Do not install your CO alarm behind curtains or other obstructions.
9. Alarms may not function properly if installed near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, fresh air returns, or open windows.
10. There is a shelf life of carbon monoxide detectors that are specific to each manufacturer. Check with the manufacturer instructions to determine how long the carbon monoxide detector is supposed to last and maintain your specific unit accordingly.
For more guides and how-to’s for around the home, check out Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s Around the Home blog.
