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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Salinas Home

Residents must defend against a variety of risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about a danger that you aren’t able to see or smell? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers as you might never realize it’s there. Even so, installing CO detectors can effectively safeguard your family and property. Find out more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Salinas property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Referred to as the silent killer because of its absence of color, taste, or odor, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that utilizes fuels like an oven or fireplace can create carbon monoxide. Even though you normally won’t have problems, complications can present when an appliance is not frequently maintained or properly vented. These oversights may lead to a proliferation of the potentially lethal gas in your residence. Generators and heating appliances are the most frequent culprits for CO poisoning.

When exposed to minute levels of CO, you might suffer from dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to higher levels may result in cardiopulmonary arrest, and potentially death.

Recommendations On Where To Place Salinas Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home lacks a carbon monoxide detector, get one now. Preferably, you should install one on every floor of your home, and that includes basements. Here are a few recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Salinas:

  • Install them on each floor, specifically in places where you have fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas dryers.
  • Always use one no more than 10 feet away from bedroom areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is where to put it.
  • Place them approximately 10 to 20 feet away from potential CO producing appliances.
  • Avoid affixing them immediately next to or above fuel-utilizing appliances, as a little carbon monoxide could be released when they start and trigger a false alarm.
  • Fasten them to walls at least five feet above the floor so they can measure air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid installing them beside windows or doors and in dead-air areas.
  • Put one in rooms above garages.

Inspect your CO detectors routinely and maintain them in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. You will usually have to replace them within five or six years. You should also ensure any fuel-consuming appliances are in in optimal working condition and adequately vented.