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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Ithaca Property

Residents must defend against various risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about a danger that can’t be detected by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other threats as you may never know it’s there. Even so, using CO detectors can effectively safeguard your loved ones and property. Explore more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Ithaca property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer due to its lack of odor, taste, or color, carbon monoxide is a common gas formed by incomplete fuel combustion. Any fuel-utilizing appliance like a fireplace or furnace may create carbon monoxide. Even though you normally won’t have any trouble, difficulties can crop up when an appliance is not frequently inspected or adequately vented. These oversights can result in a proliferation of the potentially lethal gas in your interior. Generators and heaters of various types are the most frequent causes for CO poisoning.

When exposed to minute concentrations of CO, you may notice fatigue, headaches, dizziness nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to high levels could cause cardiorespiratory arrest, and even death.

Recommendations On Where To Place Ithaca Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t have at least one carbon monoxide detector in your residence, get one today. If possible, you should use one on every level of your home, including basements. Here are several tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Ithaca:

  • Install them on every floor, specifically in areas where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, gas dryers, fireplaces, and water heaters.
  • Always have one no more than 10 feet away from sleeping areas. If you only get one CO detector, this is where it should go.
  • Position them at least 10 to 20 feet from potential CO sources.
  • Do not install them directly next to or above fuel-consuming appliances, as a bit of carbon monoxide may be discharged when they turn on and trigger a false alarm.
  • Fasten them to walls at least five feet off the floor so they may test air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them next to windows or doors and in dead-air areas.
  • Place one in rooms above garages.

Test your CO detectors regularly and maintain them according to manufacturer recommendations. You will usually have to replace units every five to six years. You should also make certain any fuel-burning appliances are in in good working order and sufficiently vented.