Replace your carbon monoxide alarms every 7 years. Carbon monoxide alarms wear out over time. Although well-maintained alarms typically last about seven years, if you don’t know when your alarms were installed, or if they are approaching 7 years, replace them now.

Proper placement is important. Install a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home and inside each bedroom.

Change your Clock, Change your Batteries. Test your carbon monoxide alarms monthly by pressing the test button on each alarm. Change the batteries at least twice a year or when you hear the low battery warning signal which is a short chirp approximately once per minute.

Early warning provides additional time to escape. Consider using dual sensor carbon monoxide alarms which contain both ionization and photoelectric technology in one alarm.

Become familiar with the features of your carbon monoxide alarms. Read the user’s manual and follow the installation, testing and maintenance instructions.

Interconnection: Interconnected alarms can provide earlier warning of than stand-alone alarms, especially if there is an alarm in a remote area of the dwelling. Carbon monoxide alarms wired-in to your home with battery backup should be considered. CO alarms can also be interconnected to smoke alarms. When one alarm sounds, the others also alarm, alerting you to fire or CO in another area of your home. In a multiple station arrangement, a maximum of 24 devices may be interconnected.

Make an escape plan. Be sure everyone in the home, especially children, know the shortest exit from every floor.
Do not remove batteries. Carbon monoxide alarm batteries should not be used in other appliances such as personal stereos or games.

Nuisance alarms: If cooking smoke sets off your carbon monoxide alarm, do not disable it. Press the silence button (if available), wave a towel or newspaper, open a window, or turn on an exhaust fan to clear the alarm.
Maintenance: Keep carbon monoxide alarms clean. Dust and debris can interfere with operation. Vacuum the cover and the area around your carbon monoxide alarm regularly.

  • January 16th, 2018
  • By USI
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