Anytime a fuel like gasoline, oil, wood or propane is burned carbon monoxide is created and many common household appliances cause this. In fact carbon monoxide poisoning has become the leading cause of accidental deaths in North America. The problem is that carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and invisible.



The only way you can safely detect carbon monoxide in time to get out of your home safely is with a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home and near the sleeping areas. By choosing an accurate alarm you will have a greater chance of giving your family more time to react appropriately to the problem. Consider the following tips when it comes to choosing the best carbon monoxide detector for your home.

Before you begin shopping for your carbon monoxide detectors it is best to check with your fire marshal to see if there are specific codes in your area that must be met. The codes in your area may determine which type below you will need to purchase.

You need to make sure your carbon monoxide detector has an electrochemical sensor which is more stable with humidity and temperature changes. They are less likely to react to common household chemicals, which can give false readings.

You want to get a carbon monoxide detector that is UL or CSA listed. All carbon monoxide alarms should meet strict third-party standards by either the Underwriters Laboratories or Canadian Standards Association. These labels will be printed on the product's packaging.

You should consider choosing a carbon monoxide detector with battery back-up, especially if you live in an area prone to power outages or if you have a gas powered generator. The battery powered units offer twenty-four hour protection if your power is interrupted.

A plug in unit with a battery back up is your most popular and some of these models have cords attached which allow you to plug it in and place the detector 7-9 feet from the outlet if the outlet is not in the best location for your detector. Be careful not to plug your carbon monoxide detector into an outlet that turns on and off with a light switch.

You can also get one with a backlit digital display so you can view the carbon monoxide level in your home in the dark.

The higher end models contain a display that remembers the highest levels of carbon monoxide over a specific time period. This is helpful for emergency personnel if they want to determine the severity of a carbon monoxide problem.