Carbon monoxide leaks can be deadly. In fact, carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental poisoning in the United States, with as many as 400 CO deaths reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This silent, odorless, and colorless gas sends more than 20,000 people to the emergency room each year, but thankfully, it can be monitored easily and effectively with a good carbon monoxide detector.
The best carbon monoxide detector will give you maximum protection with very little maintenance and effort. Still, it is important to check even the best carbon monoxide detector regularly and make sure it is working correctly. At Galmiche & Sons, our heating & air conditioning experts can help you find the right CO alarm for your home, and make sure it is installed well and working properly. Get in touch online or by phone today.
Find the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your Needs
There are a few important factors to consider when looking for the best carbon monoxide detector for your home. For example, those with small children and pets, who are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than adults are, will want to look for additional safety features and particularly reliable alarm systems.
The best carbon monoxide detectors have electrochemical sensors, which remain stable as humidity and temperature change. This is recognized to be the standard of quality in a carbon monoxide detector and it can help prevent false positive scares as well. Another thing to look out for is an end-of-life warning system, which will alert you when it is time to replace your CO detector, preventing old-age failures. Finally, a voice alarm might be a better choice for some than traditional beep-only alarm sound. The clarity of a vocal recording leaves little room for confusion as to what the beeping is about, and can help you keep you and your family safe.
Features in the Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors
In addition to these basic safety features, there are a few designs that put the best carbon monoxide detectors above the rest. Digital displays, for instance, make it easy to get more information on your home, with CO levels updated on-screen every 15 seconds. This can also help you determine when the danger is passed, and your home is free of carbon monoxide.
Another thing to look for in the best carbon monoxide detectors is whether they use batteries or your home’s electricity. Those that can run on either power option will help keep you safe during a power outage. For those in areas that experience power outages a lot, the best carbon monoxide detector might even be one that is fully battery-operated. Finally, carbon monoxide detectors with peak-level memory features can help emergency personnel respond better by recording the level of CO present in your home.
Placement and Maintenance for CO Detectors
Once you have found the best carbon monoxide detector for your home, you will want to make sure it is placed correctly and that your whole home is covered.
It is a good idea to place at least one CO monitor on every floor of the home and to make sure it is not covered or otherwise obstructed. From there you will want to test it regularly and replace it every 7 to 10 years.
Learn More About Finding the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your Family
To learn more about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to prevent it, contact the heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today.
