Preventing Death Through Carbon Monoxide Detection-How To Use These Life-Saving Devices
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that kills thousands of people each year. It is the result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene, charcoal and natural gas. In the home, cooking and improper venting of furnaces and appliances are the leading causes of carbon monoxide buildup. Many carbon monoxide-related deaths can be prevented with the use of properly-placed detectors.
How to Use Carbon Monoxide Detection Devices- Tips for Home SafetyProper use of your carbon monoxide devices starts with their proper installation in your home. Since carbon monoxide is lighter than air, and is found in warmer air that is rising, detectors should be placed on the wall about five feet above the floor. Do not place them near a stove or fireplace, as this will cause them to alarm unnecessarily. Each floor should have its own detector. Of course, professional installers will be the best judge of the proper location for your carbon monoxide detector, so let them take the worry out of it and setup everything for success.
You can purchase and install carbon monoxide detection devices yourself; however, professional installers can ensure that they are placed properly in your home. They can also integrate your detectors into a security system that contacts you and/or a monitoring center in the event that carbon monoxide levels become dangerously high.
Some carbon monoxide detection devices come with battery backup power in case of a power outage. Batteries for all detectors should be checked at regular intervals and units should be replaced about every two years. Also, test the alarm frequently to make sure it works. These simple measures will ensure that your home and family remains safe from dangerous levels of this deadly gas.
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Home Security Safety Tip #2
"Use automatic timers on the lights when you are away from home."