ADT® Authorized Dealer Serving Bellingham & Surrounding Areas
Carbon monoxide detector attached to wall of home
January 08, 2024

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Bellingham Residence

Residents must protect against numerous risks like burglary, fire, and flooding. But what about a danger that you are unable to see or smell? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers because you might never be aware that it’s there. Even so, implementing CO detectors can easily safeguard yourself and your household. Find out more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Bellingham residence.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer due to its absence of odor, color, and taste, carbon monoxide is a common gas formed by incomplete fuel combustion. Any appliance that uses fuels like a furnace or fireplace can create carbon monoxide. While you normally won’t have problems, complications can present when appliances are not routinely maintained or appropriately vented. These missteps may result in a proliferation of the potentially lethal gas in your home. Generators and heaters of various types are the most consistent culprits for CO poisoning.

When exposed to low amounts of CO, you might experience dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to elevated concentrations may result in cardiorespiratory failure, coma, and death.

Recommendations For Where To Place Bellingham Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t use at least one carbon monoxide detector in your interior, buy one today. Preferably, you should have one on every floor, and that includes basements. Here are some suggestions on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Bellingham:

  • Put them on every floor, specifically where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces, fireplaces, gas dryers, and water heaters.
  • Always install one within 10 feet of sleeping areas. If you only have one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • Position them approximately 10 to 20 feet from potential CO producing appliances.
  • Avoid affixing them immediately beside or above fuel-consuming appliances, as a small amount of carbon monoxide could be released when they turn on and set off a false alarm.
  • Fasten them to walls about five feet off the floor so they will measure air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them beside doors or windows and in dead-air areas.
  • Install one in spaces above attached garages.

Test your CO detectors routinely and maintain them in accordance with manufacturer instructions. You will typically need to replace them in six years or less. You should also ensure any fuel-utilizing appliances are in in proper working shape and have proper ventilation.