If you purchase an existing home have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. When camping, remember to use battery powered heaters and flashlights in tents, trailers and motor homes. Using fossil fuels inside these structures is extremely dangerous. NFPA 501, Standard on Recreational Vehicles, requires the installation of CO detector in recreational vehicles. Smoke detectors react to fire by-products, before CO detectors would alarm.
Smoke detectors give earlier warning of a fire, providing more time to escape.
To guard against smoke and fire, be sure that your home has working smoke detectors on every level and just outside of all sleeping areas. Know the difference between the sound of the smoke detectors and the sound of the carbon monoxide detector. Have a home evacuation plan for any home emergency and practice the plan with all members of the household. The Hanford Fire Department is operated by Fluor Hanford, Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office.