In a residential setting, it’s necessary to regularly check the alarms that provide home safety. Unfortunately, it can be easy to forget to test these devices and, before you know it, a couple years or more can pass and the alarms no longer work. This year, take the time to check your carbon monoxide detectors to help provide the level of safety that your family needs.
Why Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas produced when any type of fuel, such as natural gas in your furnace, is burned. Since CO is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, human senses cannot detect it. You need a device such as a CO detector to tell is there has been a CO leak and if carbon monoxide is in your indoor air.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause serious health problems and, in extreme cases, even death. Because carbon monoxide is so dangerous, it is vitally important that you maintain CO detectors that can sound an alarm and let you know that you and your family need to get to safety.
How to Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Look the unit over: Give the detector a visual inspection for damage or related problems. Make sure it’s firmly attached to the wall or ceiling and the cover is in place.
- Test the unit: There should be a test button on the face of the detector. Press this button until the alarm sounds. If the alarm doesn’t sound after holding the button for several seconds, put in new batteries and try again. If the alarm still doesn’t sound, replace the unit.
- Change the batteries: Consider putting in new batteries before heating season even if the test was successful. This reduced the chance of battery failure during the winter when you need the detector the most.
Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company has been providing professional heating, cooling, and electric services to customers in Yuma since 1952. Contact us today for more information on carbon monoxide detectors and what you can do to make sure the ones in your home are working properly.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
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