一氧化碳(CO)是家中最危险的气体之一. 被称为“沉默杀手”,“一氧化碳气体是无色的, 没有气味的, tasteless and non-irritating, yet it can cause unconsciousness, 脑损伤或死亡. 因此，超过 400人 suffer fatal carbon monoxide exposure each year, a higher fatality rate compared to other types of poisoning.
As the weather gets colder, 冬天你关起门来，依靠取暖设备取暖. 在这些情况下，一氧化碳暴露的威胁是最高的. 还好你可以 defend your family from a gas leak 以各种方式. 最有效的方法之一是在家中安装一氧化碳探测器. 看看这个指南，更好地了解一氧化碳来自哪里，以及如何从一氧化碳报警器中获益.
What generates carbon monoxide in a house?
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of something burned. 结果是, this gas can appear when a fuel source is ignited, 比如天然气, 丙烷, 石油, 木炭, 汽油, 吸引, 和更多的. Frequent causes of carbon monoxide in a house consist of:
- Blocked up clothes dryer vent
- 热水器故障
- 炉或锅炉带 破碎热交换器
- 关闭d fireplace flue with a lit fire
- Improperly vented gas or 吸引d stove
- Vehicle running in the garage
- 移动发电机，烧烤架，电动工具或草坪设备在车库里运行
Do smoke detectors recognize carbon monoxide?
No, smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide. 事实上，当它们探测到火灾产生的一定程度的烟雾时，它们就会发出警报. 有了可靠的烟雾探测器，在房屋火灾中死亡的风险降低了大约 55%.
烟雾探测器有两种基本的模式电离探测器和光电探测器. 电离探测对于产生大火焰的快速移动的火焰是理想的, while photoelectric models are more suited for smoldering, 用烟熏. 一些较新的烟雾探测器在一个单独的单元中包括两种类型的警报器，以提高对火灾的反应机会, 不管它如何燃烧.
毫无疑问，烟雾探测器和一氧化碳报警器同样是有益的家庭安全设备. If you look up at the ceiling and notice an alarm of some kind, 你可能不知道这是烟雾探测器还是一氧化碳报警器. 视觉对比是由你的品牌和型号决定的. Here are a few factors to remember:
- Quality devices are visibly labeled. 如果没有，试着在检测器的背面找到一个品牌和型号，并在网上查找. You will also find a manufacture date. If the device is more than 10 years old, replace it right away.
- 从插座汲取能量的插入式装置通常是一氧化碳探测器. The device should be labeled so.
- Some alarms will be two-in-one, 感应烟雾和一氧化碳，每一种都有一个指示灯. 不过, it can be difficult to tell with no label on the front, so reviewing the manufacturing details on the back is worthwhile.
How many carbon monoxide detectors do I need in my home?
The number of CO alarms you need is dependent on your home’s size, the number of stories and the number of bedrooms. Consider these guidelines to guarantee total coverage:
- Place carbon monoxide detectors nearby sleeping areas: CO气体暴露在晚上是最常见的，因为炉子必须经常运行以保持房屋供暖. 因此，每间卧室都应该在离门15英尺的范围内安装一氧化碳探测器. 如果两间卧室的门相距不到30英尺，一个探测器就足够了.
- Install detectors on every floor:
危险的一氧化碳气体可能会在你家的某一层被捕获, so make sure you have at least one CO detector on each floor. - Have detectors within 10 feet of the internal garage door: A lot of people unsafely leave their cars idling in the garage, resulting in dangerous carbon monoxide buildup, even if the large garage door is fully open. 门上的一氧化碳传感器——以及车库上方的房间——会提醒你家里一氧化碳浓度升高.
- Have detectors at the appropriate height: Carbon monoxide features a weight similar to air, 但它通常在燃烧设备释放的热空气中向上携带. 在天花板附近安装探测器是捕捉上升空气的最佳方法. 包括数字读数的模型最好放在眼睛水平，以保持它们易于阅读.
- Put in detectors about 15 feet from combustion appliances: 一些燃烧燃料的机器在启动时会产生少量无害的一氧化碳. 这种情况会迅速消散，但如果一氧化碳探测器放置得太近，可能会触发假警报.
- Put in detectors away from extreme heat and humidity: 一氧化碳探测器对热和湿度有规定的公差. 减少误报, don't install them in bathrooms, 在刺眼的阳光下, 通风口周围, or close to heat-generating appliances.
How do I test/troubleshoot a carbon monoxide sensor?
Depending on the specific unit, 制造商可能建议每月进行测试和重置，以保持正常的功能. 此外，6个月后更换电池供电设备的电池. 对于硬连线装置, 每年更换一次备用电池，或当告警开始发出鸣叫时更换备用电池, 以先发生的为准. 然后, 在10年后或按照制造商的说明完全更换一氧化碳探测器.
How to test your carbon monoxide alarm
All it takes is a minute to test your CO alarm. 请阅读说明书，了解您的设备的使用说明, understanding that testing follows this general process:
- Press and hold the Test button. It will sometimes take 5 to 20 seconds for the alarm to begin.
- Loud beeping means the detector is working correctly.
- 松开“测试”按钮，等待两声快速的哔哔声，闪光或两者同时出现. If the device continues beeping when you release the button, press and hold it again for five seconds to quiet it.
如果设备在测试中不能像预期的那样工作，就把电池换掉. 如果更换电池不起作用，请立即更换探测器.
How to reset your carbon monoxide alarm
You only have to reset your unit when the alarm goes off, after running a test or after replacing the batteries. 一些型号在这些事件发生的10分钟内自动复位, while others require a manual reset. The instruction manual can note which function you should use.
Follow these steps to reset your CO detector manually:
- Press and hold the Reset button for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Release the button and wait for a beep, a flash or both.
如果你没有听到哔声或看到闪光，重新开始重置或更换电池. If that doesn't help either, 在制造商的帮助下排除一氧化碳报警器的故障, 或者更换探测器.
What do I do if a carbon monoxide alarm is triggered?
Use these steps to safeguard your home and family:
- 不要无视警报. 你可能无法识别一氧化碳的危险水平，直到为时已晚, so assume the alarm is operating correctly when it is triggered.
- Evacuate all people and pets as soon as possible. 如果可以的话，在你出去的时候打开窗户和门，以帮助稀释CO气体的浓度.
- 拨打911或当地消防部门，报告一氧化碳报警器响了.
- 当警报停止运行时，不要以为重新进入家中是安全的. Opening windows and doors might help air it out, but the root cause may still be generating carbon monoxide.
- When emergency responders show up, 他们会进入你的家, assess carbon monoxide levels, 试着找到一氧化碳泄漏的源头，看看回去是否安全. 根据不同的原因，您可能需要请求维修服务以防止问题再次出现.
Get Support from Broad Ripple Service Experts
有了正确的预防措施，就不必担心家里有一氧化碳. In addition to installing CO alarms, it’s important to maintain your fuel-burning appliances, 也就是当冬天到来的时候.
The team at Broad Ripple Service Experts is happy to inspect, 清洁, diagnose and repair problems with 炉, 锅炉, 热水器 and other combustion appliances. 黄金城官网知道有什么迹象表明可能是一氧化碳泄漏——包括增加的煤烟, rusted flue pipes and a yellow, 闪烁的燃烧器火焰，以及必要的维修，以防止他们.
Do you still have questions or concerns about CO exposure? Is it time to schedule annual 供暖服务? Contact Broad Ripple Service Experts 了解更多信息.