A CO (carbon monoxide) detector is a safety alarm that monitors air for carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion. CO at sufficient concentration is lethal.
Sources of CO in a home include gas furnaces (especially with cracked heat exchangers), gas water heaters, gas ranges, fireplaces, generators, and attached garages. Even at non-lethal levels, chronic low-level CO exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and confusion.
SC building code requires CO detectors in any new construction with combustion appliances or attached garages. For existing homes with gas appliances, we recommend installing one CO detector per floor, with at least one in or near the sleeping area.
Replace CO detector batteries annually and replace the detector itself every 5-7 years (the sensors degrade over time).
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