When your heating system seems to be running smoothly, you don’t consider that there could be danger looming inside of it. But carbon monoxide leaks and electrical risks are real dangers to your home. Make sure your family is not in jeopardy by checking your smoke alarms and CO detectors each month.
About CO Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. That means you could not detect it by its appearance in the home or by smell, as you could with a gas leak. Sometimes, people suspect a CO leak because people in the home are sick—but this is certainly not the situation you want to be in, especially since carbon monoxide can kill.
CO detectors were only recently regulated for homeowners and rental units, but many states now require them. Check local laws, but consider installing them in every room where someone sleeps even if they are not heavily regulated in your area.
Testing Smoke and CO Alarms
To test a smoke alarm or CO alarm, simply press the button on the front of the unit. This will test the alarm, so make sure the sound is loud enough for you to hear from across the home, and that it would wake you and your family members. Remember, this only tests the alarm, not the effectiveness of the smoke or CO detector.
Change the batteries on your smoke and CO detectors every 6 months. Many people do this around daylight saving time.
Installation and Replacement
Most modern carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms have a lifespan of about 10 years. After this point, it is unsafe to use your older CO detector or smoke alarm as your alert system. Even if the alarm still seems to work, the inner workings that detect the presence of smoke or CO may not. A date should be printed on the back of your alarm.
Don’t waste your time with the run-around. Give us a call and let us do it right the first time! Contact Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. for more heating safety tips in Bloomfield, NM.