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Having any level of carbon monoxide or CO in your home can be dangerous. So what is the best way to protect your family from carbon monoxide? Your first line of defense is to make sure carbon monoxide never gets into your home in the first place. In order to do this you should have at least one CO detector installed in your home. But how exactly do these detectors work?

Carbon monoxide detectors work by sounding an alarm after they detect a build-up of carbon monoxide over time. If you are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide you can experience harmful effects in just a short period of time. You can also become sick if you are exposed to lower levels of carbon monoxide for a long time period. A continuous power supply is required in order to run a carbon monoxide detector, so the alarm is ineffective when the power is cut off. For this reason there are models available that have a batter back-up power source. Visit Resculite online to view their huge online selection.

CO sensors come in three basic types: metal oxide, biometric and electrochemical. Each of these technologies may have performance differences, but all carbon monoxide detectors have been tested and approved for their form of operation. So no matter what carbon monoxide detector you choose and how it operates it will be effective. The cost of a carbon monoxide detector will likely relate to the number of features that are included in the detector and the warranty conditions offered by the company.

First there is the metal oxide semi-conductor or MOS. This is the first technology that was developed for detecting CO. It uses heated tin oxide to react with CO in order to determine a toxic level of carbon monoxide gas. These types of CO detector need to connect to house power. Some models do come with up to twenty hours of battery backup in the event of a power outage at your home.

Then there is the biometric type of carbon monoxide detector. These use a gel-coated disc that darkens when carbon monoxide is present. When the color changes the unit will sound an alarm. These carbon monoxide detectors use a less expensive form of technology. They can be both power and battery operated depending on what you need.

Finally there are electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors. These are most common now. There is an internal chemical reaction with the carbon monoxide which creates an electrical current and thus sets off the alarm. These detectors have highly sensitive and accurate readings at all range of carbon monoxide levels. Many of these units have a continuous digital readout and a memory feature that provides you with the option of check past carbon monoxide levels so you can determine if there is buildup over time.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Placement

Every home and dorm room should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed. These detectors are easy to install and can end up saving your life or the life of your children in the event of an emergency. There are a few things that you need to consider when it comes getting a carbon monoxide detector.

Why You Need One

The first important thing to consider is why you should give a carbon monoxide detector to your college student. Carbon monoxide can be released into your home in several different ways. When too much carbon monoxide is released into a home or dorm room then it can cause irreversible damage to the lungs and possibly even death. Just a few items that can cause carbon monoxide include fireplaces, heaters, hot water heaters, gas stoves, vehicles, grills and dryers.

All carbon monoxide detectors have been completely tested and approved for residential and household use. Although when purchasing a carbon monoxide detector for your college student that are a few key elements that you should consider. There are some carbon monoxide detectors which are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than others.

Which to Purchase

In order to have maximum protection for your college student you should get a carbon monoxide detector that alarms at the lowest level of buildup. This means you should choose a carbon monoxide detector that has a memory built in. While battery operated carbon monoxide detectors are easier to place, many college students lead busy lives and may not remember to change the batteries. Therefore, it may be a better idea to buy them a plug-in carbon monoxide detector.

Placing the Detector

After purchasing a carbon monoxide detector you need to make sure your college student knows where to place it. One carbon monoxide detector should be enough to cover a small dorm room, but it should still be placed near the sleeping area. For larger dorm rooms or apartments it can be a good idea to buy additional detectors and place at least one in each bedroom or major living area of the home. However, if you are only going to get one carbon monoxide detector then it is important that you at least place it in the main sleep area.

Never place a carbon monoxide detector near a fuel burning appliance since these will emit trace amounts of carbon monoxide which can cause the alarm to go off frequently. You also should place your carbon monoxide detector anywhere within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances. You should also avoid humid areas such as the bathroom.

When considering where to place carbon monoxide be sure to discuss the following guidelines with your college student:

-Place detector near the bedroom or anywhere where there will be a lot of people.

-The detector should be placed in an area where you can easily hear it and where you can easily see it.

-Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come with the detector and call the company if you are unsure about anything.

-Do not place the detector near open door or windows, in an excessively cold area or where material will cover it.

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Robert D. Thomson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dog Care, Real Estate and Dental Practice. Resculite, Inc works hard to help keep your family safe. We carry a large selection of carbon monoxide detectors ,. Robert D. Thomson's top article generates over 2240000 views. Bookmark Robert D. Thomson to your Favourites.

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