Protect Your Home With Carbon Monoxide Detectors

by Ann Hayward 07/04/2021

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Much like fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors are small pieces of equipment that could potentially save your life. These small detectors can easily be plugged into any outlet, and their excessively loud alarm is designed to alert you immediately to danger. Carbon monoxide detectors will sound the alarm if there are high levels of carbon monoxide in your home. This odorless, tasteless gas is nearly impossible for humans to detect on their own, but the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be debilitating and life-threatening.

Our guide will provide you with the information you need to know about carbon monoxide detectors and why they are essential for a healthy home.

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a gas that can be produced by many household products. When carbon monoxide levels become too high, people and animals inside the home can begin to feel very sick. Some of the most common sources of carbon monoxide in the home include:

Gas-burning appliances, such as stoves or drying machines.
Cars that are parked and running.
Gas fireplaces.
Wood-burning stoves.
Generators.
Space heaters.

Any home that has one or more of these items is at risk for exposure to carbon monoxide which is why it's necessary for you to invest in a carbon monoxide detector.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can vary widely, based on the level of exposure as well as the age and health of the individual who is being affected. Some symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can include:

Frequent and persistent headaches, ranging from mild to severe.
General malaise and persistent nausea.
Weakness and fatigue.
Confusion, dizziness or blurred vision.

The level of exposure as well as the length of exposure will determine how quickly and fully a person recovers after carbon monoxide exposure. When identified quickly, many people enjoy a quick and complete recovery. When exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide over a long period of time, some people will have lifelong complications or may even die as a result.

Choosing a Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your Home

Today, most carbon monoxide detectors on the market adhere to a strict set of minimum safety standards. This means that regardless of which detector you select for your home, it will alert you to a possible exposure in a matter of moments.

Where to Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors

You should ideally have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home, but you may want to consider purchasing a detector for every room where an appliance or device is located that may produce carbon monoxide. It is particularly important to have carbon monoxide detectors near rooms where people sleep, so that the alarm can alert the people in your house no matter what time of day it is.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible threat, and if CO levels in your home become too high, the results could be deadly. It is best to be proactive and purchase carbon monoxide detectors for your home. You also should remind your family members and friends to do the same. By taking preventative action, you can rest easy knowing that you have a healthy home that everyone can enjoy.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]