#Simplisafe carbon monoxide detector how to
#Simplisafe carbon monoxide detector professional

For example, some are two-in-one devices that function as smoke detectors, while others can sense other hazardous gases. If you want to keep your family safe, you might want to look for a carbon monoxide detector that comes with additional features. Make sure that it installs easily and is easy to use when it comes time to schedule a test, check battery levels, or read carbon monoxide levels.

Ultimately, if your carbon monoxide detector is difficult to use, you aren’t going to use it. Test alarms every month to make sure they are working,' she says.

If you opt for a battery-powered device, make sure you check the battery levels frequently to make sure your detector is still functioning properly.Ĭrosswhite-Chigbue recommends, 'The best way to protect your family is by installing battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup in your home outside separate sleeping areas and on each floor of your home.' Proper maintenance shouldn't be taken lightly either since CO alarms are made to go off before carbon monoxide reaches fatal levels, 'Replace batteries in alarms at least once every year. If your detector is wired or plug-in, you’ll want to look at devices that have a battery backup power source in case your power goes out because that’s often when leaks go undetected. However, there are some things to keep in mind.

The choice of what you get is up to you-it’s mostly a matter of preference. Some detectors are much more sensitive to low levels of gas than others, which could save you precious time in an emergency.Ĭarbon monoxide detectors can be wired, battery-powered, plug-in, or some combination of both. Pay close attention to how sensitive it is and what levels of carbon monoxide it can detect. Of course, the most important thing is that your carbon monoxide detector is accurate. What to Look for in a Carbon Monoxide Detector Accuracy When narrowing down our choices, we considered detectors that test carbon monoxide and gas that were the most accurate, easy to use, and came with digital compatibility without being expensive.

#Simplisafe carbon monoxide detector professional

When selecting the best carbon monoxide detectors, we started by speaking to Chuck Roydhouse, retired professional firefighter and former President of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, to get his advice on what to look for in carbon monoxide detectors. How We Selected the Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors

#Simplisafe carbon monoxide detector how to

We also had an emergency medicine physician from our Medical Expert Board review the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding carbon monoxide poisoning and how to evaluate carbon monoxide detectors. We researched dozens of carbon monoxide detectors and evaluated them for their price, battery life, accuracy, ease of use, and additional features to find you the best carbon monoxide detectors on the market today. When looking for a carbon monoxide detector, consider cost, battery life, ease of use, and accuracy. “Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, without a carbon monoxide detector, you may not know you’re being exposed to carbon monoxide until it’s almost too late,” Roydhouse explains. Installing (and maintaining) carbon monoxide detectors in your home is one of the best ways you can protect the health and safety of your family.Įvery year, according to the CDC, at least 430 people die of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and around 50,000 people visit the emergency room due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. “Carbon monoxide poisoning is the second leading cause of poisoning in the home-that’s how serious it is and common it is,” explains Chuck Roydhouse, retired professional firefighter and former president of the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Carbon monoxide detectors are essential to home safety because not all sources of gas are obvious and a gas leak can be impossible to detect on your own.