Installation next to major appliances will ensure rapid detection of life-threatening levels of CO gas. Installation next to sleeping areas will ensure hearing the alarm during sleep. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed high, near the ceiling, for most effective use. Detectors should not be placed within five feet of gas fueled appliances or near cooking or bathing areas. Consult the manufacturer''s installation instructions for proper placement of a detector with in a given area.
Many conditions can cause a carbon monoxide detector to alarm.
Most are preventable, and few are actually life threatening. Proper placement of a detector and educated users will prevent notification to emergency services unnecessarily. The atmosphere of the home is usually at a lower pressure than the outside air, the gas is actually drawn in to the home. Charcoal is a tremendous producer of CO gas. All fuel-burning appliances require periodic inspection and maintenance.