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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Riverside Residence

Residents must protect against numerous risks like fire, flooding, and burglary. But what about a danger that you are unable to smell or see? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers as you might never realize it’s there. Despite that, implementing CO detectors can effectively shield you and your household. Explore more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Riverside home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer because of its absence of color, taste, or odor, carbon monoxide is a common gas caused by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that utilizes fuels like a fireplace or furnace can create carbon monoxide. Even though you usually won’t have any trouble, issues can crop up when an appliance is not routinely inspected or appropriately vented. These mistakes may result in a build-up of this potentially deadly gas in your home. Heating appliances and generators are the most consistent culprits for CO poisoning.

When in contact with lower levels of CO, you may experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to high levels can lead to cardiopulmonary arrest, and even death.

Suggestions On Where To Place Riverside Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t use a carbon monoxide detector in your interior, get one today. Ideally, you should have one on each level of your home, and that includes basements. Explore these suggestions on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Riverside:

  • Place them on each floor, specifically where you have fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces, gas dryers, fireplaces, and water heaters.
  • You should always install one no more than 10 feet away from sleeping areas. If you only get one CO detector, this is where it should go.
  • Position them about 10 to 20 feet away from sources of CO.
  • Do not install them right above or next to fuel-utilizing appliances, as a small degree of carbon monoxide may be discharged when they start and trigger a false alarm.
  • Attach them to walls approximately five feet above the ground so they will sample air where people are breathing it.
  • Avoid installing them next to windows or doors and in dead-air places.
  • Put one in areas above attached garages.

Test your CO detectors routinely and maintain them per manufacturer recommendations. You will typically need to switch them out in six years or less. You should also ensure any fuel-burning appliances are in in good working condition and have adequate ventilation.