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

Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your San Jose Home

Homeowners must protect against numerous risks like fire, flooding, and burglary. But what about a danger that you aren’t able to smell or see? Carbon monoxide is different from other dangers because you may never be aware that it’s there. Despite that, implementing CO detectors can easily shield you and your household. Learn more about this hazardous gas and where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your San Jose property.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Called the silent killer due to its lack of color, odor, or taste, carbon monoxide is a readily found gas formed by an incomplete combustion of fuels. Any appliance that consumes fuels like an oven or fireplace may create carbon monoxide. Even though you typically won’t have any trouble, complications can present when an appliance is not routinely serviced or appropriately vented. These oversights could lead to an accumulation of this potentially deadly gas in your interior. Generators and heating appliances are commonly responsible for CO poisoning.

When subjected to lower concentrations of CO, you could experience fatigue, headaches, dizziness nausea, or vomiting. Prolonged exposure to high amounts could lead to cardiopulmonary arrest, and even death.

Recommendations On Where To Place San Jose Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your home lacks a carbon monoxide detector, buy one today. Preferably, you ought to have one on each floor of your home, and that includes basements. Here are some recommendations on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in San Jose:

  • Install them on each floor, specifically in areas where you have fuel-burning appliances, including water heaters, furnaces, gas dryers, and fireplaces.
  • You ought to 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.
  • install them about 10 to 20 feet from potential CO sources.
  • Do not install them directly above or next to fuel-utilizing appliances, as a bit of carbon monoxide could be discharged when they kick on and trigger a false alarm.
  • Attach them to walls at least five feet from the ground so they will test air where people are breathing it.
  • Avoid using them beside windows or doors and in dead-air places.
  • Put one in areas above garages.

Inspect your CO detectors often and maintain them in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. You will generally have to replace them in six years or less. You should also make certain any fuel-burning appliances are in in optimal working condition and adequately vented.