Carbon Monoxide Detection

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters.

If you have any fuel-burning appliances in your home that have the potential for deadly carbon monoxide production, you should have carbon monoxide detection to protect yourself and your family.

CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is recommended that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home and on all levels of the home. CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in receptacle or high on the wall. Hard-wired or plug-in CO alarms should have battery backup. Avoid locations that are near heating vents or that can be covered by furniture or draperies. It is not recommended to install CO alarms in kitchens or above fuel-burning appliances.