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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Olympia Property

Homeowners must protect against a variety of risks like fire, burglary, and flooding. But what about a risk that can’t be detected by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers as you might never know it’s there. Nevertheless, implementing CO detectors can easily shield your loved ones and property. Explore more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Olympia home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Called the silent killer because of its lack of odor, taste, or color, carbon monoxide is a commonly found gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion. Any fuel-consuming appliance like an oven or fireplace may generate carbon monoxide. Although you normally won’t have a problem, complications can crop up when equipment is not frequently inspected or adequately vented. These missteps can result in an accumulation of the potentially lethal gas in your interior. Generators and heating appliances are commonly responsible for CO poisoning.

When in contact with low amounts of CO, you might experience fatigue, headaches, dizziness nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to higher amounts may cause cardiorespiratory failure, and even death.

Recommendations For Where To Place Olympia Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t own at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home, buy one today. If possible, you ought to use one on each level of your home, and that includes basements. Here are some recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Olympia:

  • Place them on each level, especially in places where you have fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas dryers.
  • Always install one no more than 10 feet away from sleeping areas. If you only get one carbon monoxide detector, this is the place for it.
  • Position them approximately 10 to 20 feet away from sources of CO.
  • Do not position them right above or next to fuel-utilizing appliances, as a small degree of carbon monoxide might be released when they turn on and set off a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls about five feet from the floor so they may measure air where people are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them near doors or windows and in dead-air zones.
  • Install one in areas above attached garages.

Inspect your CO detectors often and maintain them in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. You will typically have to replace units every five to six years. You should also make certain any fuel-burning appliances are in in proper working condition and have appropriate ventilation.