Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to alert home occupants in the event of a carbon monoxide leak. But what do you do when you hear your carbon monoxide detector going off? Just because you don’t smell anything, or nothing seems out of the ordinary, doesn’t mean there isn’t a carbon monoxide leak in your home. In this blog post, Atomatic discusses how carbon monoxide alarms work and what steps you should take if yours goes off, as well as the possibility of false alarms.
How Does a Carbon Monoxide Detector Work?
A carbon monoxide detector is designed to detect elevated levels of this odorless and colorless gas in your home. They are typically battery-powered or plugged into an outlet and will sound an alarm if there is carbon monoxide buildup in an area. The alarm will sound like a traditional smoke alarm, warning you that something is wrong and you need to take action immediately.
What Should I Do When I Hear My Carbon Monoxide Detector Going Off?
If you hear the carbon monoxide detector beeping somewhere in your home, move everyone outside immediately and call 911. Once everyone has been safely evacuated from the building, wait for help and a final OK from the fire department or other emergency personnel before re-entering the home—they will be able to properly assess the situation and determine whether or not your home is safe.
Carbon monoxide exposure can be dangerous, even fatal. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause severe headaches, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms. Each year, many people become sick or die from carbon monoxide poisoning they are unaware of because they do not have a working carbon monoxide alarm installed in their homes.
In addition, they can inspect your equipment to help pinpoint the source of a carbon monoxide leak so you know who to call next to fix the problem. Also, they can help you determine if your carbon monoxide detector going off was just a false alarm.
Can My Carbon Monoxide Detector Go Off for No Reason?
It is possible to have a carbon monoxide detector going off without any danger present. If you suspect that this is the case, it’s important not to ignore it. This could be due to a faulty device, old batteries, or just dust buildup in the unit itself. It’s better to be safe than sorry. If your alarm sounds, it’s important to call emergency responders. They can tell you if you’re experiencing a false alarm. If it is determined that it is a false alarm, don’t continue to leave your safety up to change. Purchase a new carbon monoxide alarm as soon as possible.
Carbon Monoxide Detector Maintenance
To keep your family safe, it’s important to test your carbon monoxide detector regularly. It is recommended that detectors be tested monthly. To check your device, make sure the battery is in good condition then press and hold the “test” button until you hear a loud beep. If you don’t hear a sound, the unit needs to be replaced.
Replacing the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors is an important part of keeping your family safe. Make it a priority to change the batteries every six months or when they start to chirp or display a low battery alert – do so even if your detector is wired into your home’s electrical supply, as batteries provide a backup power source in the event of an outage. You should also replace the entire carbon monoxide detector unit after five to seven years. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your home and family are protected against this dangerous odorless gas.
Talk to Atomatic About Carbon Monoxide Detector Services in Chicagoland
To ensure that everyone in your household remains safe, make sure that you have working detectors installed throughout your home and test them regularly according to manufacturer instructions. And if one goes off unexpectedly, don’t waste any time getting out of the house and calling 911 – they can help determine if it’s a false alarm or a real emergency! For carbon monoxide detector installation in your home, call Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc. today.
