Carbon monoxide alarms are must-have devices in any household. The main purpose of them is to let you know when a carbon monoxide (CO) leak is happening in your property, allowing you to take the necessary steps to keep your loved ones and yourself safe. Despite being quite longeval detectors, these devices have a determined useful life that all owners should know to keep their homes protected against a potential emergency.
It’s your responsibility as a homeowner to make sure that your CO alarm is working as intended. If you’re not sure of how to do that, here’s how to test carbon monoxide alarm for your peace of mind.
2 Ways to test your carbon monoxide alarm
Before conducting tests, make sure to let your security company know about what you’re doing so that the local emergency responders don’t respond to it. Furthermore, we also recommend you protect your ears during the tests, as the alarm tends to sound quite loud.
Use a CO Bottle
If you want to make sure that the sensors are working as intended, you can get yourself a CO bottle and spray it on the device to see what it does. If you hear constant beeping every four or five seconds, that means that the alarm is working as intended and that you can rely on it for a little longer. Still, we recommend you check the expiration date on the back of the device so that you can know when it’ll be time to replace it.
Press the Test Button
Most carbon monoxide alarms have a test button integrated. You can press it to conduct a test and confirm that everything is working properly. You must hold the button until you hear a couple of “beeps.” If you have more than one alarm and they’re all connected, then you should hear them all sound at once. The device may also flash its lights. It’s recommended to conduct this test twice just to be sure.
Some detectors may require you to go back to the default mode after testing, meaning that you might have to reset it after you’re done with the test. Sometimes, the device does so automatically. If you’re not sure, you should consult with the manufacturer or visit their website – as they typically have information on the matter available.
Why you should test your carbon monoxide alarm?
It’s crucial to know how to check a carbon monoxide alarm, especially if you consider that the risk of CO poisoning is quite high and kills about 430 people every year. Furthermore, even if the devices are made to last for several years, you should keep in mind that technology isn’t infallible and is prone to errors, no matter how new the alarm could be. That’s why it is recommended to test your alarm at least once per month to make sure that it is fulfilling its purpose without problems.
Testing carbon monoxide alarms may also be helpful for the following reasons:
You can make sure it is working properly
Technology is prone to failure for several reasons. After installing your CO alarm, it will start becoming worn out due to contact with dust, debris, and even CO itself. Therefore, the sensors will eventually become obstructed or even straight-up damaged after a few years. Testing your alarm or detector now and then will help you ensure that it is working correctly.
Test the alarm if it needs to replace the batteries
Unless your alarm has been directly installed to the household current, the batteries on the device will eventually stop working. You should test your alarm now and then to verify its battery life, making sure it is operating as intended. If the alarm is not responsive, then you know it’s time for a battery replacement. Again, it’s important to conduct this test at least once per month so that you can be aware of whether your alarm has sufficient power to keep everyone living under your roof alert.
It’s possible to detect malfunctions
It’s not rare for CO alarms to malfunction. It happens quite often, and people don’t realize it is happening unless it is too late. If you suspect that your alarm might be malfunctioning, the best thing you can do is a confirmation test. Some of the most common issues include random chirps for no apparent reason, for example. If you think that your battery is malfunctioning, maybe it’s time for a replacement.
CO alarm tests are required by law
In the United States, carbon monoxide alarms are completely necessary – and so is testing. We recommend you familiarize yourself with your area’s regulations so that you can avoid fines and other potential problems for being non-compliant with what the law demands from you as a citizen and a homeowner.
Keep your house protected
Carbon monoxide alarms are necessary in homes. You never know when a potential emergency can happen, and these detectors will notify you immediately whenever a leak occurs. This way, you and your family will be able to escape the premises as soon as possible and wait for the emergency services to arrive and sort out the situation. If your CO alarm is working properly, it’s very unlikely that you will have to deal with carbon monoxide poisoning or other problems that may arise as a result of a gas leak.
Other recommendations
If you want to ensure that your carbon monoxide alarm is working as intended, it is highly recommended that you install it in the correct areas. You want to make sure that you’ve installed the device in a place where everyone can hear it. Furthermore, it should be away from the sun or places with high humidity (such as bathrooms), as moisture and heat can damage the sensors quite fast.
You should also make sure that your CO alarm is clean. You can clean it every time you test it, for example, to make sure that dust and debris won’t mess with its components.
Last but not least, you should also monitor the batteries and replace them once they stop working. Battery replacements are recommended at least every six months, depending on the CO alarm model you own. If replacing the batteries doesn’t work, and the alarm is still either not working or malfunctioning, maybe it’s time for a replacement. Be sure to check the expiration date if your device includes it so that you can have an idea of when you should get a new alarm installed.
Bottom line
Carbon monoxide alarms are a must-have device in every home. You should conduct tests at least once per month so that you can be aware of the correct functioning of your device. Make sure to inform your security company about the test to avoid a potential fine. These tests will help you stay calm, knowing that you and your family will be able to react as soon as an emergency happens. After all, it’s best to prevent a situation than to lament later. Your future self will thank you for taking these steps once a potentially dangerous situation arises.
