Why You Need to Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detector in the Winter

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas. It is produced when fossil fuel is burned (like in your furnace) and can cause sudden illness or death. You often do not know you are suffering from CO poisoning until it is too late, especially if you are sleeping or intoxicated when the CO leak occurs.

People have suffered irreversible brain damage or even died before anyone realized there was a problem.

The Mayo Clinic lists these symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Headache
• Weakness, dizziness or nausea
• Feeling short of breath
• Confusion
• Blurry vision
• Unconsciousness

To avoid what happened in an Allentown, PA, daycare this month–where a leak sent two dozen children and staff to the hospital with CO poisoning–you should have a CO detector and check it regularly, particularly in the Winter, when we use our furnaces more often, and close our windows.

As of 2018, CO detection is now required in any Ohio dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom that contains a fuel burning appliance or a fuel-burning fireplace.

Such is not the law in Pennsylvania, although some state senators have been trying to correct this oversight for years.

What CO Detectors do

CO detectors warn you of any unusual build-up of CO in your home. Firefighters receive calls weekly about carbon monoxide alarms alerting residents to a problem.

Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors regularly, since false alarms can go off when the batteries are dead. You can buy batteries that last 5-10 years, so you don’t have to worry about changing the batteries annually.

Whether you have a boiler or a furnace, fire officials stress you should have a working carbon monoxide detector.

Which Model Should You Get?

Here is an article from the Chicago Tribune that lists some of the best models.

These are features to consider when you are shopping for a CO detector, which can set you back as little as $20:

• Display A CO detector with a digital display will alert you to increases in CO levels in your home as they occur, so you can address the issue before the gas reaches a lethal level.
• Alarm volume and type In order to ensure that a detector is effective, the alarm must be loud enough to awaken and alert the entire household.
• Power source Many CO detectors run on batteries, which allows them to operate during a power failure. Other detectors plug into outlets, and some can be hard-wired into your home’s circuitry for power. Neither of these types can run if there is a power failure, however.
• Interconnectivity If you have a large home, having multiple detectors is a necessity. Choose models that can be interconnected.
• Testing function To ensure that your detectors are in proper working order, they should be tested once a month. Ideally, your CO detectors will have a test button. You can depress the button to make sure the alarm would actually sound in an emergency.
• Lifespan The sensors in a CO detector will wear out over time. In most cases, you can expect your detector to have about a five-year lifespan.

What Should You do if Your CO Alarm Goes off?

1. Immediately evacuate.
2. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, call 911 from a cell phone or neighbor’s home.
3. If no one is experiencing symptoms, call your fire department or an HVAC contractor so your home can be inspected.
4. If you can’t evacuate, open as many windows and doors as possible and call for help.
5. Turn off any possible sources of carbon monoxide if you can.