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January 08, 2024

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your St. Paul Residence

Property owners must safeguard against a variety of risks like burglary, fire, and flooding. But what about something that can’t be discerned by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other threats because you might never realize it’s there. Despite that, using CO detectors can simply shield yourself and your household. Learn more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your St. Paul property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Called the silent killer as of a result of its absence of odor, color, and taste, carbon monoxide is a common gas formed by an incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that consumes fuels like a fireplace or furnace may generate carbon monoxide. Even though you normally won’t have problems, issues can present when an appliance is not frequently serviced or appropriately vented. These missteps can result in a build-up of this dangerous gas in your interior. Generators and heating appliances are the most common culprits for CO poisoning.

When exposed to low amounts of CO, you could experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to high levels may lead to cardiorespiratory arrest, and even death.

Suggestions For Where To Place St. Paul Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home doesn’t have a carbon monoxide detector, get one now. Preferably, you ought to install one on every floor of your home, including basements. Explore these recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in St. Paul:

  • Place them on each floor, specifically in areas where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas dryers.
  • You ought to always have one no more than 10 feet away from bedrooms. If you only have one carbon monoxide detector, this is where it should go.
  • Position them about 10 to 20 feet away from sources of CO.
  • Do not affix them immediately above or beside fuel-utilizing appliances, as a non-threatening amount of carbon monoxide may be discharged when they turn on and trigger a false alarm.
  • Attach them to walls approximately five feet from the ground so they will measure air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them near doors or windows and in dead-air zones.
  • Put one in areas above garages.

Inspect your CO detectors routinely and maintain them according to manufacturer instructions. You will generally have to switch them out within five or six years. You should also make sure any fuel-burning appliances are in in good working condition and have adequate ventilation.