Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke Detectors

Do you know how old your smoke detector is? Smoke detectors don't last forever and should be replaced after 10 years of service.  Installing new smoke alarms every 10 years helps you protect your family and lets you take advantage of improvements in smoke detector technology.  The best places for smoke detectors are on each level of the home and within 15 feet of all bedrooms.  Every home should have at least 2 smoke detectors.  The larger your home, the more smoke detectors you must install for adequate protection.  Mount smoke detectors in the middle of the ceiling, if possible.  Do not install smoke detectors where drafts from fans or air ducts can reach them.  The moving air can blow smoke away from the alarm's sensor.  In order to avoid "nuisance alarms" (like those caused by cooking smoke), keep smoke detectors at least 10 feet from stoves and steamy showers.  According to the National Fire Protection Association,  the main reason for non-operational smoke detectors is dead or missing batteries.  Test smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries annually.

 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, oderless and poisonous gas.  It is a common by-product of incomplete combustion produced when fossil fuels (like oil, natural gas, or coal) burn.  Because you can't see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it's there.  Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells and confusion.  Since these symptoms are similar to the flu, carbon monoxide poisining can be misdiagnosed.  As levels of CO in the blood rise, victims suffer vomiting, loss of consciousness and eventually brain damage or death.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that every home have at least one carbon monoxide alarm installed within 15 feet of any sleeping areas.  Since CO is spread through the home by way of convection, an alarm will be effective if it is on the ceiling, near teh baseboard or anywhere in between.  Install a CO alarm at least 15-20 feet away from any combustion appliance.