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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Fort Myers Home

Residents must protect against various risks like burglary, fire, and flooding. But what about a risk that you are unable to see or smell? Carbon monoxide is different from other risks because you might never realize it’s there. Nevertheless, implementing CO detectors can effectively shield your loved ones and property. Find out more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Fort Myers property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer because of its lack of odor, color, and taste, carbon monoxide is a common gas caused by an incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that consumes fuels like a fireplace or furnace may create carbon monoxide. Although you usually won’t have a problem, issues can arise when an appliance is not frequently inspected or properly vented. These missteps can cause a build-up of the potentially lethal gas in your residence. Generators and heating appliances are commonly to blame for CO poisoning.

When in contact with lower concentrations of CO, you might suffer from headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to high levels could result in cardiorespiratory arrest, and potentially death.

Recommendations On Where To Place Fort Myers Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home is without a carbon monoxide detector, purchase one today. Ideally, you should install one on every floor, and that includes basements. Here are a few recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Fort Myers:

  • Place them on every floor, especially in places where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, gas dryers, fireplaces, and water heaters.
  • You should always have one no more than 10 feet away from sleeping areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is where it should go.
  • Position them approximately 10 to 20 feet from potential CO sources.
  • Avoid affixing them directly above or next to fuel-burning appliances, as a non-hazardous amount of carbon monoxide could be emitted when they turn on and prompt a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls approximately five feet above the ground so they may test air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them near windows or doors and in dead-air zones.
  • Install one in rooms above attached garages.

Check your CO detectors regularly and maintain them per manufacturer guidelines. You will usually have to switch them out in six years or less. You should also ensure any fuel-utilizing appliances are in in good working shape and adequately vented.