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January 08, 2024

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Los Angeles Residence

Residents must protect against numerous risks like fire, flooding, and burglary. But what about something that can’t be detected by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers as you may never be aware that it’s there. Despite that, using CO detectors can effectively shield your family and property. Find out more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Los Angeles home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Referred to as the silent killer due to its absence of color, odor, or taste, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any fuel-consuming appliance like an oven or furnace can generate carbon monoxide. While you typically won’t have any trouble, issues can arise when appliances are not regularly maintained or properly vented. These missteps can cause an accumulation of this potentially deadly gas in your residence. Generators and heaters of various types are commonly to blame for CO poisoning.

When exposed to minute amounts of CO, you might experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Continuous exposure to higher amounts can cause cardiorespiratory arrest, and even death.

Recommendations For Where To Place Los Angeles Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, buy one today. Preferably, you ought to have one on each floor, and that includes basements. Here are some tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Los Angeles:

  • Place them on each level, specifically in areas where you use fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas dryers.
  • You should always install one within 10 feet of bedrooms. If you only install one CO detector, this is the place for it.
  • Place them at least 10 to 20 feet from potential CO producing appliances.
  • Do not position them directly beside or above fuel-consuming appliances, as a small degree of carbon monoxide might be discharged when they kick on and prompt a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls about five feet from the ground so they can test air where inhabitants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them beside windows or doors and in dead-air zones.
  • Put one in spaces above garages.

Test your CO detectors regularly and maintain them according to manufacturer guidelines. You will usually have to replace units within five or six years. You should also make sure any fuel-utilizing appliances are in in good working order and have appropriate ventilation.