1/7/2025
Install and Test CO Detectors to Ensure Safety
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are considered an essential safety feature in homes nationwide, with Illinois mandating properly functioning CO detectors in every dwelling. But CO detectors that aren’t tested regularly to ensure they’re working can give you a false sense of security and perhaps provoke a dangerous situation where you and your home’s occupants are exposed to this deadly gas.
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas that is a by-product of combustion occurring in fireplaces and gas-powered appliances such as generators, clothes dryers, ranges, water heaters, and furnaces. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses, making it crucial to have properly functioning carbon monoxide monitors to verify CO levels exposure.
TESTING CO DETECTORS
To ensure maximum safety, install a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of the home, at least 10 feet away from the nearest gas-burning appliance, and approximately 6 feet from the floor.
TESTING CO DETECTORS
Every homeowner should regularly test carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they function properly. It's a simple process, and to do so, just follow the manufacturer's instructions or try these straightforward steps:
Press the “test” button. If the monitor emits a loud beep or another sound, it’s working correctly. If the monitor is battery-operated, replace the batteries.
Some monitors are hardwired into your electrical system. If one of these emits a beep or other sound, there’s a chance that the monitor is signaling it’s failing and needs replacement, or that a backup battery requires replacement. It’s advisable for these hardwired monitors to have digital readouts, allowing you to determine if there’s an emergency-level CO leak or if it’s just a monitor or battery malfunction when the unit activates.
Learn more about CO detectors and other indoor air quality solutions from the experts at Tempco Heating and Air Conditioning and call us at (847) 670-7000.