Carbon monoxide detectors trigger an alarm based on an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time. Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide in a short period of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a long period of time. Carbon monoxide detectors require a continuous power supply, so if the power cuts off then the alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
About Smoke Alarms
Where should I place smoke detectors?
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, making sure that there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area. New homes are required to have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room and all smoke alarms must be interconnected.
Why is my smoke detector beeping?
- When smoke detectors are activated by the by-products of combustion (smoke) they emit a loud screeching noise. If the detector is just emitting an intermittent “chirping” noise it means that the battery needs to be replaced.
- Smoke Alarm Safety Tips
Smoke Detector Assistance Program
Starting with the first of the year, 2007, the Willowick Fire Department initiated the “Smoke Detector Assistance Program”. This program is intended to help the elderly and disabled residents in the City of Willowick that need assistance with their smoke detectors. Assistance ranges from replacing old detectors, installing new detectors, and replacing batteries every six months. If you, or anyone you know of that needs assistance, please call the Willowick Fire Department at 440-585-1202 to enroll in this program.
Smoke detectors and/or batteries are not available at the fire department.
Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People With Disabilities
What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide Detectors – They Aren’t Like Smoke Detectors!
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. Carbon monoxide detectors are available, but you need to understand how they work and what their limitations are in order to determine which brand of detector best suits your needs and, if you purchase a detector, how to use it to get the best protection.
Don’t assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have a detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and health of family members into account when assessing the effectiveness of a detector. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The ‘test’ feature on many detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not the status of the detector. There are detectors that last longer, indicate when they need to be replaced, and have power supply backups — you need to check to see whether a particular model has the features you require. When deciding whether or not to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, you need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources, but also the construction of the building. Newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated, which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.
