Installing a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm is a simple way to plan for your family's safety. Show
ToolsMaterialsNote Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. Fire and Carbon Monoxide ThreatsSmoke and flames from a fire are easy to see, but a fire that begins in a vacant part of the house or starts in the middle of the night can spread undetected. Once a fire starts, it can grow quickly. Carbon monoxide (CO) poses an invisible threat. It's a colorless, odorless gas produced by any fuel-burning appliance or fixture, such as a furnace, water heater or fireplace. Carbon monoxide can build up in the home from malfunctions or improper venting in these devices. It can also accumulate if the home is sealed for energy efficiency, reducing the exchange of inside and outside air. An attached garage in which a vehicle is running can also allow carbon monoxide to enter the home. The gas is dangerous because it replaces the oxygen in the air and, when inhaled, creates a toxic compound in your body. For more on carbon monoxide, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Carbon Monoxide Poisoning information. A combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm — also known as a smoke and carbon monoxide detector — can warn you when either threat is present and help protect you and your family as well as your home. They're available as battery-powered, plug-in or hard-wired. A hard-wired device requires electrical connections at an available junction box. Detectors can come with two types of sensors:
Where to Install a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide AlarmFollow the manufacturer's instructions for placement of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Locations include:
They should be mounted on the ceiling at least 6 inches from the wall or on the wall at least 6 inches below the ceiling. Check your manual for installation locations to avoid and information on how far to install the alarms from furnaces, heaters, stoves, water heaters and other devices. Some smoke and carbon monoxide alarms allow you to wirelessly connect compatible units so all linked units sound an alarm when one detects a threat. This functionality can warn of hazards in remote areas of the house. If you install linkable units, pay attention to the range and placement restrictions for the linking feature. Installing a Battery-Powered Smoke and Carbon Monoxide AlarmFollow the installation and maintenance instructions that came with your device. Here are the basic steps: InstructionsSetup and MaintenanceDepending on the alarm model, there may be other procedures you need to follow, including:
In addition to weekly testing, a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm needs regular maintenance to keep it clear of dust. Don't use water, cleaners or other chemicals on the unit. If the alarm does not have a built-in battery, use only battery types specified by the manufacturer. Write the installation date on the batteries with a permanent marker. Change them at least once every six months. Keep your manual in a readily accessible location so you can reference it easily for instructions on replacing batteries, reprogramming it or interpreting notifications. Responding to an AlarmHave an evacuation plan for your family so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Identify a single gathering point outside the home. Practice evacuation periodically, determining the fastest and safest paths to your gathering point. If the alarm activates:
If the problem is carbon monoxide, have a trained technician check any appliances that can generate the gas. Other ConsiderationsMake sure you and your family are familiar with the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home:
Where should a First Alert carbon monoxide detector be placed?The NFPA recommends that you install a carbon monoxide alarm, like smoke alarms, on every level of your home, inside every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are also installed near attached garages in case a car is left running, and anywhere else the manufacturer recommends.
Where do you mount a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector?Carbon monoxide (CO) and combination alarms should be mounted in or near bedrooms and living areas, on a wall place six inches below the ceiling to six inches above the floor. If mounting on a ceiling, make sure it is at least six inches away from the wall.
|