- 1). Find out the date of manufacture for the carbon monoxide alarm. The newer, the better because they become less effective as time passes. You can typically look on the back of the alarm to find this date.
- 2). Pay attention to the power source the carbon monoxide alarm you're evaluating. Battery-powered units will need battery replacements at least once a year. However, lithium batteries will most likely last for many years. Electric alarms are available, but they would not work during a power outage.
- 3). Purchase multiple carbon monoxide alarms together if you have a large house where one alarm won't be able to detect possible leaks. If you buy multiple alarms at the same time, through the same company, they can hook them up so that one alarm's detection sets off each of the alarms.
- 4). Check to make sure that the carbon monoxide alarm is set up for two sources of power, so that there are batteries already installed to back up batteries that fail. If your carbon monoxide alarm is wired to your home's power source, make sure that there is still a backup battery source, just in case the power goes out.
- 5). Read the display on the carbon monoxide alarm to see if it shows the carbon monoxide level in the room, even before it reaches the 70 parts per million level that normally sets off an alarm. You can get a head start on evacuation when there are children or elderly individuals who are more at risk for danger.
- 6). Choose a warning system that best suits your home. The warning of high carbon monoxide levels can be shown through blinking lights, soft sounds, loud alarms, or even a voice. Pick the type that you feel will be most likely to get you and your family's attention.
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