Where to Place Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Home

By Coggin Security

As a security company in Myrtle Beach, SC, our goal is to spread awareness among residents and businesses about potential safety threats. One common misconception that many have is that carbon monoxide isn’t dangerous until you can smell it.

Unfortunately, it is quite the opposite. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics show that each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning that is not linked to fires, 20,000 visit the emergency room, and 4,000 are hospitalized.

When it comes to your home and family’s safety, you shouldn’t just trust your nose. We are giving you a guide to properly placing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors around your home so that you can stay protected should the worst happen!

Residential Fire Protection: Because You Can’t Trust Your Nose

Residential fire protection and safety is a crucial aspect of protecting your home, which is why our Coggin Security professionals install features only from industry-leading brands like Resideo and Honeywell Home. Check out some of our favorite residential fire and CO protection solutions below:

Featured Product: SixCombo Two-Way Wireless Smoke/Heat & CO Detector from Honeywell Home

This product is the perfect solution for multi-threat detection, with four sensing elements for smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide. This detector has improved detection capabilities to reduce false alarms.

Featured Product: ProSixCombo ProSeries Wireless Smoke/Heat & CO Detector from Honeywell Home

A wireless two-way, professionally monitored solution, the ProSixCombo detector provides next-level multi-threat protection with faster reaction times and more advanced capabilities.

How to Place Smoke Alarms & CO Detectors Around Your Home

1 – Place On Every Floor

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends placing at least one smoke detector on every level of your home, including basements and attics. If you have a furnace in your basement, make sure to place your detectors at least 15 feet away to avoid false alarms.

2 – Place Near Sleeping Areas

To maximize the safety of your home, make sure to place a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inside every bedroom. As a rule of thumb, it should be close enough to wake you up if it goes off in the middle of the night.

3 – Place in Hallways

For the best chances of catching carbon monoxide and smoke, place detectors in the major hallways of your home, especially outside of sleeping areas, to protect each adjoining room.

4 – Place in the Garage

Car engines produce carbon monoxide which can infiltrate your home if there is a leak or if your car is left running. This gas can be extremely difficult to pick up with just your nose, so make sure to place a monoxide detector by the door of your garage.

5 – Place in the Kitchen

Fuel-burning appliances are one of the top causes of carbon monoxide in the home. Install a carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm in the kitchen to catch any issues at the source. But be sure to put CO monoxide detectors at least 10 feet away from your other kitchen appliances, such as ovens and gas stoves, to avoid false alarms.

6 – Place Out of Reach

There is a button on the CO Detector that can be used to test the system. The loud alarm will sound if this button is pressed and consequently should be kept out of reach of pets and children to prevent an unnecessary headache.

7 – Place Away from Sources of Moisture

Smoke and humidity affect smoke detectors in the same way, so it’s best to keep smoke detectors out of moist areas like the bathroom to avoid false alarms. Carbon monoxide detectors should also stay away from the steam — the moisture can damage it. For best results, keep smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least ten feet away from major humidity sources.

8 – Place Away from Direct Sunlight

Alarms and detectors don’t perform well in extreme heat, and they tend to overheat quickly. While the sunshine might feel great to you, choose somewhere with indirect light for your detector to keep it working at its best. CO detectors and smoke alarms should be kept at least a foot away from fluorescent lights, too, as these lights can interfere with the sensors.

9 – Place Away from Vents, Windows, and Fans

Detectors malfunction in the direct path of blowing air, and they can sometimes miss carbon dioxide traces if the breeze blows in the opposite direction. Place your carbon dioxide detector away from breezy areas to make sure you get an accurate reading every time.

10 – Place Away from Furniture

Bulky furniture and thick curtains can block carbon monoxide from reaching your detector. Keep your detectors out in the open to make sure the air can reach it (and to make it easier to change the batteries!)

Other Tips for Residential Fire Protection & Safety

A study conducted by Hampson, Courtney, and Holm found that it’s reasonable to place residential smoke and CO detectors at any height in a room.
Be sure to have your Myrtle Beach security company replace your CO detector every five years and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
Test your smoke detector every month by pressing and holding the test button. You should hear a loud, shrill alarm — if the sound is quiet or the device stays silent, replace the batteries.
Replace all smoke detectors that are over ten years old. Smoke detectors lose their sensitivity and become less reliable as they age. Check the manufacturing date inside the device, and if it was made ten years ago or if you can’t find a date, it’s time to replace the detector.

Residential Security Solutions You Can Count On

As an established local security company, Myrtle Beach, SC, residents and businesses have trusted Coggin Security to protect their loved ones and most valuable assets since 1995. Let us provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home is safe, even when you can’t be there. Whether you need a total system upgrade or a few new features for your existing Myrtle Beach security system, we have you covered.

We take the hassle out of commercial and residential security by making recommendations for placement and installing your security system, including CO and smoke detectors.
For a limited time, we are offering up to 40% savings with our customized residential security solutions. With any of our packages, we offer access to the Total Connect App that alerts your smart device of flooding, motion, smoke, and more.