Every year, at least 250 people in the U.S. die from carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more are sent to the hospital. Called the "silent killer", carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and deadly gas that can contaminate your home and poison everyone in it without warning or notice. This lethal gas can be produced from a variety of sources around the house, including a clogged chimney, a broken furnace, or a car running in a poorly ventilated garage. To make matters worse, today’s more energy efficient houses and apartments are more likely to keep fresh air out, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide buildup and poisoning.
Although carbon monoxide poisoning is hard to detect (and deadly), it is very easily prevented by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. Since carbon monoxide detectors vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and are not federally regulated, consumers should make certain that they do a little research before choosing a detector.
As mentioned earlier there are wide arrays of carbon monoxide detectors that are available. They usually cost between 30-50 dollars, can be plugged in or battery operated, and can even be combined with smoke detectors into one unit. While carbon monoxide detectors may vary, there are some basic things you should look for when choosing an alarm.
One of the most important things to consider is quality control. It is very important to make sure that your product is properly tested and licensed to ensure quality and efficiency. The company American Sensors guarantees accuracy by "triple testing" their alarms. This means that the alarm is subject to three separate tests during the manufacturing process. All quality carbon monoxide detectors are backed by American Sensors, so this is definitely something to you want to look for. It is also important to make sure the alarm is listed with Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada or Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL 2034.
It is also important that the alarm you select is compliant with any local codes. Some jurisdictions, landlords, and building managers may have their own requirements for carbon monoxide detectors and their placement. Make sure that any carbon monoxide detector you buy is compliant with any codes or regulations in your area.
Consumers should also consider the power source of any carbon monoxide detector they plan on purchasing. Carbon monoxide detectors can be plugged into your electrical socket or battery operated. If you purchase a plug-in alarm, it is important that is has battery backup in the event of a power outage. If you prefer a battery operated device, make sure it gives a warning when the batteries are doing dead.
It is also very important to look for a device with the correct sensitivity levels. It is best to purchase a carbon monoxide detector that it able to sense and record the levels of carbon monoxide in the air. This information is very helpful to the fire department and other agencies investigating where the source of the gas came from. A device that has a digital readout of these findings is even better.
When you purchase your carbon monoxide detector, make sure that you call your local fire department. They can give you additional information on carbon monoxide poisoning, what to do if your alarm goes off and who to call in the event of an emergency.
