CO gas build up is usually the result of the blocked flues or chimneys or malfunctioning appliances such as gas stoves. The gas itself cannot be smelt, tasted or seen by humans and as such it is essential to have a detector in the house. There are a number of alarms available on the market however the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector has been rated a best buy by consumer magazine in the category of value for money. It is a reliable entry level model, and at the price, there is not really a good reason not to have one installed.
It has a number of features which set it apart from similarly priced models. Many more complicated CO alarms are add ons to existing home security system packages. The Kidde is designed to be installed by the home owner themselves and as such they have put a lot of thought into ease of installation and use. Another nice feature is the back lit digital display which makes the alarm easier to read. Getting an accurate picture of current CO levels is essential to maintaining a safe battery.
It also includes a test and rest button and a low battery indicator. A carbon monoxide alarm is only useful if it is actually working. That is why it is vital to be able to see if it is still functioning. Many alarm systems will have an indicator light to show if the battery is still providing power to the alarm. However if there is a circuit malfunction this will not be indicated. The Kidde system makes it easy to verify whether the alarm is working.
Another important feature of this alarm is that it continues to monitor CO emissions even during power outages. This is important because emissions are most likely to occur during these times, and some detectors will fail to track gas when it does. The alarm is easy to install. It can either by hung on a wall or it has a kickstand to let it stand on a shelf. When installing your monitor make sure that you place it the areas most commonly used by the people in the house. These are usually the bedrooms and the living room. If you place it to close to the source of potential CO hazards you risk too many false warnings. Even a well functioning appliance may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide gas.
Probably the only negative feature of this alarm is that the construction is a little flimsy. It will be fine as long as it is treated with care. But if it is dropped you should at having it replaced. Still at the price it is excellent value for money.
Carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundred and injuries thousands more people every year. The "silent killer" is a real risk to you and your family. With cost effective options like the Kidde CO Monitor there is no reason not to have a detector in your home.
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