How to choose
Check whether your local building department requires a specific type of CO alarm--a hardwired model, say. Then keep these
points in mind at the store:
See that it’s up to snuff. Alarms should meet Underwriters Laboratories Standard 2034; check the package. The standard becomes tougher in 2007, but
makers say tested alarms should comply.
Pick your power. Battery alarms are easier to place than plug-in or wired models. But cells for these and alarms with battery backup must
be changed yearly.
Look for a digital display. These show relatively precise CO levels in parts per million, rather than simply beeping. Some also show the peak level since
they were reset, warning you of any spikes that occurred while you were away.
Check the date. CO alarms lose sensitivity after five years. The manufacture date is on the back of the alarm; fresher is better. If you
buy a Senco Model One, be sure it was made in 2005. If you own a 2004 model, we suggest replacing it.
Cover yourself. One CO alarm may be fine for small, one-level homes. For multilevel homes, consider an interconnecting alarm at each level
to warn you of problems in remote parts of the house.
Choose a central location outside or within sleeping areas and other living space. Don’t put alarms inside garages, where
initially high CO from car exhausts can trigger false alarms, or near doors and windows, where fresh air can cause a misleadingly
low reading.
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