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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Fort Lauderdale Home

Property owners must protect against various risks like fire, flooding, and burglary. But what about a risk that can’t be detected by human senses? Carbon monoxide creates unique challenges because you may never know it’s there. Despite that, using CO detectors can simply safeguard you and your household. Explore more about this hazardous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Fort Lauderdale residence.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer due to its lack of odor, color, and taste, carbon monoxide is a commonly found gas formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any fuel-burning appliance like an oven or fireplace can produce carbon monoxide. Although you normally won’t have any trouble, issues can present when equipment is not regularly maintained or properly vented. These mistakes may lead to a proliferation of this dangerous gas in your interior. Generators and heaters of various types are the most common reasons for CO poisoning.

When subjected to minute levels of CO, you may notice dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to elevated concentrations may lead to cardiorespiratory arrest, coma, and death.

Recommendations On Where To Place Fort Lauderdale Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home lacks a carbon monoxide detector, purchase one now. If possible, you should use one on each floor, including basements. Here are several tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Place them on each floor, especially in areas where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, including water heaters, furnaces, gas dryers, and fireplaces.
  • You should always install one within 10 feet of sleeping areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • Position them at least 10 to 20 feet away from sources of CO.
  • Avoid installing them directly next to or above fuel-consuming appliances, as a little carbon monoxide could be emitted when they start and prompt a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls at least five feet above the ground so they may sample air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them in dead-air zones and beside doors or windows.
  • Put one in areas above garages.

Inspect your CO detectors regularly and maintain them per manufacturer recommendations. You will generally need to replace them in six years or less. You should also make sure any fuel-burning appliances are in in good working order and sufficiently vented.