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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Long Island Home

Residents must defend against various risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about a danger that you are unable to smell or see? Carbon monoxide is different from other risks as you might never realize it’s there. Despite that, installing CO detectors can easily protect you and your household. Find out more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Long Island residence.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Referred to as the silent killer because of its lack of color, taste, or odor, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas formed by incomplete fuel combustion. Any appliance that utilizes fuels like an oven or furnace can generate carbon monoxide. Although you typically won’t have any trouble, issues can crop up when equipment is not frequently maintained or properly vented. These oversights can result in a build-up of this dangerous gas in your residence. Heating appliances and generators are commonly to blame for CO poisoning.

When in contact with minute levels of CO, you might experience dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to higher amounts can lead to cardiopulmonary arrest, and even death.

Recommendations For Where To Place Long Island Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home lacks a carbon monoxide detector, buy one now. If possible, you ought to have one on each level of your home, and that includes basements. Browse these suggestions on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Long Island:

  • Install them on every floor, particularly where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, gas dryers, fireplaces, and water heaters.
  • Always use one no more than 10 feet away from sleeping areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • Place them at least 10 to 20 feet from sources of CO.
  • Do not affix them right above or next to fuel-consuming appliances, as a non-threatening amount of carbon monoxide could be released when they turn on and prompt a false alarm.
  • Fasten them to walls approximately five feet above the ground so they can test air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid installing them in dead-air places and beside windows or doors.
  • Place one in rooms above attached garages.

Check your CO detectors often and maintain them according to manufacturer recommendations. You will typically need to replace units in six years or less. You should also make certain any fuel-burning appliances are in in optimal working condition and sufficiently vented.