What do to when your CO detector beeps

A build-up of carbon monoxide in your Hudson Valley home can be dangerous – or even deadly. That’s why NY State requires carbon monoxide detectors in most homes, including all newly constructed homes.

But a carbon monoxide detector won’t help much if you don’t know what to do when it goes off. To keep your family safe, here are three things you should when you hear your CO Detector.

• Leave immediately and call the fire department. Gather your family and pets and vacate the premises of a structure where a carbon monoxide detector is active. Phone the local fire department and have them investigate why the alarm went off. If no CO build-up is present, it is possible that the alarm malfunctioned; retest it, replacing batteries or the unit itself as needed (CO detectors are typically guaranteed for 5 or 10 years, depending on the unit).
• Watch for signs of CO Poisoning. If someone in the home is displaying signs of illness, there could be carbon monoxide present. The symptoms commonly associated with CO poisoning include:
  • Weakness
  • Dull headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Blurred vision

  If any of these symptoms are present, leave your home immediately and seek medical attention. Symptoms worsen with greater exposure to CO, so act quickly. Contact the fire department for further testing to your home.

• Have all fuel-burning appliances checked after you have a CO incident. If you have determined that your CO detector incident was not a false alarm, have all your fuel burning appliances checked, serviced, and repaired by a home comfort professional before you use them again.

Have any questions about carbon monoxide safety in your Hudson Valley home, or need to have your equipment inspected to avoid a CO problem altogether? We can help. Give the pros at Bottini a call today.