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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Virginia Beach Property

Homeowners must protect against various risks like burglary, flooding, and fire. But what about a risk that can’t be discerned by human senses? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers as you might never realize it’s there. Nevertheless, implementing CO detectors can simply shield your family and property. Find out more about this potentially lethal gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your Virginia Beach property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer as of a result of its absence of odor, taste, or color, carbon monoxide is a commonly found gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Any fuel-burning appliance like an oven or furnace can generate carbon monoxide. Even though you usually won’t have problems, difficulties can arise when appliances are not frequently maintained or adequately vented. These mistakes could cause a proliferation of the potentially lethal gas in your residence. Heating appliances and generators are commonly culpable for CO poisoning.

When in contact with low concentrations of CO, you could experience dizziness, headaches, fatigue nausea, or vomiting. Extended exposure to elevated amounts could cause cardiorespiratory arrest, and potentially death.

Suggestions On Where To Place Virginia Beach Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home is without a carbon monoxide detector, get one now. Preferably, you ought to install one on every floor of your home, and that includes basements. Here are some tips on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in Virginia Beach:

  • Place them on every level, especially in areas where you have fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, gas dryers, fireplaces, and water heaters.
  • You ought to always install one within 10 feet of bedroom areas. If you only install one CO detector, this is where to put it.
  • Place them approximately 10 to 20 feet from potential CO sources.
  • Avoid installing them right above or next to fuel-burning appliances, as a non-threatening amount of carbon monoxide may be released when they start and set off a false alarm.
  • Secure them to walls approximately five feet above the floor so they can sample air where occupants are breathing it.
  • Avoid putting them in dead-air areas and near doors or windows.
  • Place one in spaces above attached garages.

Inspect your CO detectors regularly and maintain them in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. You will usually need to replace them within five or six years. You should also ensure any fuel-burning appliances are in in proper working order and have appropriate ventilation.