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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Jacksonville Property

Residents must defend against various risks like fire, burglary, and flooding. But what about a danger that can’t be discerned by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers as you might never know it’s there. Even so, implementing CO detectors can effectively shield yourself and your household. Learn more about this dangerous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Jacksonville property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer due to its absence of color, taste, or odor, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas produced by an incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that consumes fuels like a furnace or fireplace can generate carbon monoxide. While you typically won’t have problems, difficulties can present when appliances are not frequently maintained or adequately vented. These missteps could result in a build-up of this potentially deadly gas in your home. Heating appliances and generators are the most frequent reasons for CO poisoning.

When subjected to low amounts of CO, you could experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to higher amounts can lead to cardiopulmonary arrest, coma, and death.

Tips On Where To Place Jacksonville Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home is without a carbon monoxide detector, buy one today. Preferably, you should use one on every level of your home, and that includes basements. Review these recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Jacksonville:

  • Place them on every level, particularly where you utilize fuel-burning appliances, including fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, and gas dryers.
  • Always use one within 10 feet of bedrooms. If you only install one CO detector, this is where it should go.
  • Place them about 10 to 20 feet from sources of CO.
  • Do not install them right beside or above fuel-burning appliances, as a bit of carbon monoxide may be discharged when they turn on and trigger a false alarm.
  • Attach them to walls approximately five feet above the floor so they may measure air where people are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them beside windows or doors and in dead-air zones.
  • Place one in areas above attached garages.

Test your CO detectors often and maintain them per manufacturer guidelines. You will usually need to replace units every five to six years. You should also make sure any fuel-consuming appliances are in in proper working condition and adequately vented.