• Join Now
• |
• Sign In

How To Read A Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Carbon monoxide alarms can be confusing because of the digital readout. This article explains how to understand what the alarm is saying and how to know when there's a dangerous condition.

by Brett Martin

From The Family Handyman

Images from this article

javascript:void(0);

Click Image to enlarge.

Q We have a carbon monoxide alarm with a digital readout. It sometimes shows carbon monoxide is present, but the alarm never goes off. How do I know if we have a dangerous level in our house?

Beth Sutter, Cherry Hill, NJ

A Pay attention to the alarm. If the alarm goes off, you have a potentially dangerous level of carbon monoxide in your home. Immediately follow these guidelines: Press the reset button, call the fire department or 911, get fresh air by going outside or standing next to an open window, and make sure every member of the household joins you.

The digital readout alone doesn’t always tell whether you have a dangerous level of CO. A continuous low reading over a long period can be more hazardous than a momentary high reading. The alarm, on the other hand, senses both the concentration of CO and its duration, and is designed to sound when the combination of the two is hazardous.

The digital feature is useful, however, because it’ll tell you when any CO is present, even a very low level. You can search out sources and correct a potential problem. Look for a correlation between using a gas appliance and a CO reading. If you can’t find the source, call in a heating or appliance professional to track it down.

From The Family Handyman - May 2006

• • Healthy Home
• • Appliance Repair

• How to Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer
• Protect your children from potential summer hazards.
• 
• Childproof Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide
• Children, either your own or visiting youngsters, often get into dangerous situations. There are a number of steps you can take to protect them in every area of your home.
• 
• Be Prepared for Emergencies
• These 11 websites will help you plan ahead for natural or man-made disasters.
• 
• Prevent Backyard Accidents
• Ensure kids have fun all summer long by being aware of these potential dangers.
•