Each year, carbon monoxide poisoning claims approximately 480 lives and sends another 15,200 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses with symptoms including shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches.
Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm (also called detectors) in the hallway of your home near sleeping areas.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to test the CO alarm every month.
Before buying a CO alarm, check to make sure it is listed with Underwriter’s Laboratories standard 2034, or there is information in the owner’s manual that says the alarm meets the requirements of the IAS 6-96 standard.
Have heating systems (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually, checking for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections.
Detector should display CO concentrations in parts per million, even when the concentrations are below the level that triggers the alarm.
Consumer Report recommends First Alert OneLInk SCO501CN interconnected or First Alert OneLInk CO511B interconnected.
Consumer Reports recommends First Alert CO615 stand alone highest rating or First Alert CO410 stand alone
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