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A step-by-step guide to staying safe and preventing future leaks
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We’ve all heard that harsh, incessant beeping sound when our carbon monoxide alarm’s battery is low. If you think that’s bad, wait until you hear the actual warning alarm! Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are a life-saving technology, but that beep might make you wish you didn’t have one to begin with. In this article, we’ll show you how to turn off your carbon monoxide alarm (whether it needs new batteries or there’s an actual leak) and walk you through how to stay safe when it goes off for real. Sweet silence is just the push of a button away!
Things You Should Know
- Replace the batteries to silence the “low battery” beep, or press and hold the test/silence button to turn off the high-CO warning alarm.
- During an alarm, evacuate immediately and call emergency services. Make sure everyone is accounted for and check for CO poisoning symptoms.
- After the building is safe to re-enter, call a professional to examine your appliances and repair or replace the source of the CO leak.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionNew batteries are inserted, but it still beeps and says "faulty."Community AnswerThrow it out and a buy a new one. Most alarms that beep all the time are fakes.
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QuestionMy alarm needs to be replaced, but I can't get it to stop beeping so I can throw away.Community AnswerRemove the batteries.
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QuestionHow do you get it to stop beeping?Community AnswerEither press the reset button or temporarily remove the batteries. If the beeping resumes, get a new alarm.
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Tips
- Replace your carbon monoxide alarm every 10 years at minimum (most are designed to last 5-7 years). [17] X Research sourceThanks
- Install CO alarms in central locations near each sleeping area and on every level of your home. Interconnect all alarms (if possible) so they all beep at once. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Fire Protection Association Nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. Go to sourceThanks
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, battery replacement, testing, and silencing the alarm.Thanks
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Warnings
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that mixes with air very easily. Prolonged exposure to CO will cause illness or death if left untreated. [19] X Trustworthy Source National Fire Protection Association Nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://simplisafe.com/files/ss_co_manual.pdf
- ↑ https://simplisafe.com/files/ss_co_manual.pdf
- ↑ https://www.tdi.texas.gov/blog/is-your-smoke-or-carbon-monoxide-alarm-chirping-heres-what-its-telling-you.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m95LnZTRzY4&t=33s
- ↑ https://fireline.seattle.gov/2020/03/25/if-your-co-alarm-chirps-every-30-seconds-its-not-an-emergency-but-you-should-replace-the-co-alarm-a-s-a-p/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/m95LnZTRzY4?t=54
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2023/03/06/what-kind-of-smoke-alarm-smoke-detector-should-i-buy
- ↑ https://centralcountyfire.org/tips/interpreting-your-smoke-alarms-and-carbon-monoxide-detectors/
- ↑ https://centralcountyfire.org/tips/interpreting-your-smoke-alarms-and-carbon-monoxide-detectors/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
- ↑ https://www.austintexas.gov/page/carbon-monoxide-safety
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15663-carbon-monoxide-poisoning
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15663-carbon-monoxide-poisoning
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15663-carbon-monoxide-poisoning
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2023/03/06/what-kind-of-smoke-alarm-smoke-detector-should-i-buy
- ↑ https://nfcc.org.uk/nfcc-reminds-people-to-replace-smoke-alarms-every-10-years/
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/carbon-monoxide
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/carbon-monoxide
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