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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your McAllen Home

Residents must protect against a variety of risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about something that can’t be perceived by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other threats because you might never be aware that it’s there. Despite that, installing CO detectors can easily safeguard yourself and your household. Learn more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your McAllen residence.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Referred to as the silent killer because of its lack of color, odor, or taste, carbon monoxide is a common gas formed by an incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that consumes fuels like an oven or fireplace can generate carbon monoxide. While you usually won’t have problems, difficulties can crop up when appliances are not regularly serviced or adequately vented. These oversights can cause a proliferation of this potentially deadly gas in your interior. Generators and heaters of various types are the most common reasons for CO poisoning.

When in contact with low concentrations of CO, you may notice dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Continuous exposure to elevated levels can result in cardiorespiratory failure, and even death.

Recommendations For Where To Place McAllen Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t use at least one carbon monoxide detector in your interior, buy one now. Ideally, you should use one on every floor of your home, including basements. Browse these recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in McAllen:

  • Install them on each floor, particularly where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, such as fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, and gas dryers.
  • You should always install one within 10 feet of bedroom areas. If you only have one carbon monoxide detector, this is the place for it.
  • Place them at least 10 to 20 feet away from sources of CO.
  • Do not install them right above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as a small degree of carbon monoxide could be emitted when they start and trigger a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls at least five feet from the ground so they will test air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them next to windows or doors and in dead-air zones.
  • Put one in areas above attached garages.

Check your CO detectors routinely and maintain them according to manufacturer guidelines. You will usually have to switch them out every five to six years. You should also make certain any fuel-burning appliances are in in good working condition and appropriately vented.