Carbon monoxide, often referred to as the “silent killer,” sends roughly 15,000 unsuspecting people to the emergency room each year. According to emedicinehealth.com, out of those 15,000 people, about 500 succumb to the odorless, colorless gas and the preventable ailment known as carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide cannot be smelled, tasted, or seen. The gas forms after materials containing carbon are burned. Common household appliances including gas water heaters and propane stoves and heaters do produce carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the amount of carbon monoxide emitted from these appliances builds up in the home. Dizziness, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and chest pains are only a few carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.
One of the best ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home. There are several types of detectors on the market and strategic places in your home where they should be placed.
Types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Metal Oxide: Require electricity to run. Inside this type of carbon monoxide detector is tin oxide which is heated. When tin oxide is heated, it reacts with carbon monoxide and measures how much carbon monoxide is in the air.
Electrochemical: These are some of the most accurate types of carbon monoxide detectors on the market. These work when carbon monoxide causes a chemical reaction within the detector causing it to create an electrical current setting off the alarm.
Biomimetic: This carbon monoxide detector contains discs covered with a gel that turns black when carbon monoxide is present, called biomimetic sensors. When the discs change color, an alarm is sounded. This type of carbon monoxide detector comes battery operated or as an electrical unit.
Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement
Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in all bedrooms and on every level of your home. Since household appliances do emit small amounts of carbon monoxide, do not place your detectors directly above or beside your appliances. Place them at least 15 feet away from appliances.
It’s important to note that carbon monoxide detectors are not the same as smoke detectors. There are combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors on the market if you are interested. Always remember to test all of your detectors and check the batteries.
For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning and for access to an easy to understand fact sheet on the subject, please visit epa.gov.
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