Flat River Electric Blog
Trusted residential electrical advice from your West Michigan electricians.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and dangerous, which is why a working CO detector is one of the most important safety devices in your home. Here is how to read yours and what to do when it signals.
Many CO detectors have a digital display that shows the level of carbon monoxide in parts per million, or ppm. A reading of zero is what you want to see. Higher readings, and how long they last, determine how quickly the alarm sounds.
A steady, loud, repeating alarm means carbon monoxide has been detected and you should act immediately. A single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds usually means a low battery or that the unit has reached the end of its life. That is not an emergency, but it still needs attention.
If the CO alarm goes off, get everyone outside to fresh air right away, then call 911 or your local fire department from outside. Do not go back in until responders say it is safe. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nausea make it even more urgent.
Place CO detectors on every level of the home and near sleeping areas, following the manufacturer instructions. Test them monthly, replace batteries at least yearly, and replace the detector itself about every five to seven years, or as the manufacturer specifies.
Hardwired, interconnected detectors sound together so you hear the alarm anywhere in the house, and combination smoke and CO units cover both hazards. An electrician can install and interconnect them for whole-home coverage.
A CO detector only protects you if it is working and you know how to read it. If you want detectors installed, interconnected, or hardwired throughout your home, we can help keep your family safe.
