Battery Check: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
By: Marybeth | October 30, 2007 | Category: Home and Family
As cooler temperatures approach and we begin using heaters, fireplaces, and candles, it’s a good time to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. The standard recommendation is to check them when the time changes. Since we’re “falling back” on Sunday, November 4, the time is now.
The batteries in smoke detectors should be replaced at least once a year. If you don’t have smoke alarms, get them today! Battery-operated detectors are inexpensive and easy to set up. If you have trouble installing and cannot get assistance from a relative or friend, call the non-emergency number for your local fire department.
Households should also have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and extremely toxic. Sources of CO include gas-fired appliances (e.g., stove, furnace, clothes dryer), grills, and motor vehicles. CO detectors should be used in combination with the proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances.
I’ve had false alarms with both types of units. Anyone with a smoke detector near the kitchen has probably done their share of frantic towel-waving. While this presents a good opportunity to burn a few calories before a meal, I try to avoid such workouts by using the kitchen exhaust fan.
I’ve only had one false alarm with my CO detector. I don’t know what caused it to sound (household cleaners can apparently be a trigger), but I do know that it wasn’t due to CO (the fire department checked my home and gave me the all-clear).
In the grand scheme, the nuisances presented by these potentially life-saving devices are negligible.
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We welcome your comments and expect that our conversation will follow the general rules of respectful civil discourse. This is a moderated blog, and we will only post comments from bloggers over 13 years of age that relate to topics on Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog. We will review comments for posting within one business day. You are fully responsible for everything that you submit in your comments, and all posted comments are in the public domain. We do not discriminate against any views, but we reserve the right not to post comments.
Thomas
Posted by Thomas on October 31, 2007 at 10:39 AM EDT #
The false alarms kept coming. It seems like most of them were when we had company. I finally unplugged it I decided to either buy a top of the line monitor or forget it. I got along without one for more years than I care to tell.
I also seem to have trouble finding the comments and responses you get. Where are they?
Posted by Golf Pro on November 02, 2007 at 08:42 PM EDT #
As for your question... when you click on the "Comments" link under each blog entry, you can find comments and responses posted under the paragraph that explains Gov Gab's comment policy. There's a horizontal line across the top and bottom of each comment.
Posted by Marybeth on November 04, 2007 at 09:29 AM EST #