What To Do When the Carbon Monoxide Detector Beeps

Many people have carbon monoxide detectors in their homes to alert them of the presence of this potentially deadly substance. While having this tool in place is certainly advisable, knowing how to react if a carbon monoxide detector beeps is equally as important. According to a case study shared by the National Fire Protection Association, 678,265 carbon monoxide (CO) incidents occurred between 2011-2020, or an average of 7.74 such incidents per hour. Fortunately, there has been an increase in carbon monoxide detector installation helping to save lives. This increase is most likely due to the adoption of CO detectors in homes and apartments, which alert people to the presence of CO. These staggering statistics help in proving why the presence of a natural gas detector is a must. Before we take a look at what to do if your carbon monoxide tester goes off, let’s talk about the characteristics of carbon monoxide.

Does Carbon Monoxide Have a Smell?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent threat lurking in many homes. What does carbon monoxide smell like? Unfortunately, carbon monoxide smells like the air it occupies, which is often nothing. Unlike other gases, it is both odorless and colorless, making it particularly dangerous as individuals can be exposed to it without any warning. This lack of detectable smell is due to the molecular structure of carbon monoxide, which does not interact with the olfactory receptors (your sense of smell) in the same way that other gases do.

Many people mistakenly believe that they can detect the smell of carbon monoxide, often confusing it with the scent of natural gas or other household fumes. This misconception can lead to a false sense of security, as the absence of any detectable odor means that individuals may not realize they are in danger until it is too late. It is crucial to understand that carbon monoxide is not something you can rely on your senses to detect.

In contrast, gases like natural gas have a distinct smell added to them—often described as a rotten egg scent—precisely to provide a warning of potential leaks. Similarly, smoke from fires has a strong, acrid smell that alerts us to danger. The key difference with carbon monoxide is that it’s undetectable without the aid of technology. Investing in a reliable carbon monoxide detector is essential for keeping your home safe from this invisible hazard.

How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?

CO detectors work to keep you and your family safe by sounding an alarm when a dangerous level of carbon monoxide is in your home. The three most common types of CO detectors have a biometric sensor, a metal oxide semiconductor, and an electrochemical sensor.

Biomimetic Sensor

A biomimetic sensor uses a gel to detect dangerously high levels of CO in your home. This gel shifts colors when it senses carbon monoxide while another sensor alerts your detector of the change. This will cause the carbon monoxide detector to beep and warn your family.

Metal Oxide Semiconductor

CO detectors with a metal oxide semiconductor use a silica chip to determine when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are in your home. When a metal oxide semiconductor recognizes dangerous levels of CO, it lowers the electrical resistance of the circuit it’s connected to. The decrease in electrical resistance makes your carbon monoxide detector beep.

Electrochemical Sensor

An electrochemical sensor uses electrodes in a chemical solution to alert when your home has high levels of CO. When the levels of carbon monoxide in your home are on the rise, the electrochemical sensor will lower the electrical current and will alarm your detector.

Now that we know the why and how a CO alarm is triggered, let’s look at what to do next:

1. Get to Safety and Call the Fire Department

It is best to vacate the premises of a structure where a carbon monoxide detector is active. A phone call should be made to the local fire department to have the home checked over to determine the reason for the alarm going off. If there is no verifiable reason, the detector may be in need of new batteries or the breaker feeding the electricity to the tester may have been switched to an off position. However, it’s best not to see if this is the case until after the home is checked for and cleared of carbon monoxide.

2. Be Alert to the Signs of CO Poisoning

If someone in the home is displaying signs of illness, there could be carbon monoxide present. The symptoms associated with carbon monoxide exposure include weakness, dull headache, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion, loss of consciousness, and blurred vision. If any of these symptoms are displayed, it is best to remove the person from the home and call for an ambulance immediately. A fire department should also be contacted to evaluate the home for any presence of carbon monoxide.

3. Routinely Check Your Security Devices

You should regularly check all your home’s safety devices to ensure they’re working to the best of their abilities. A home security system is the best way to integrate all your devices in one place, and having it professionally monitored 24/7 is the best way to ensure your home is always protected.

Security system monitoring centers will have representatives available to respond if any connected carbon monoxide detectors, as well as other security devices, are triggered if necessary. Yearly equipment checks by the homeowner are also recommended, along with monthly system testing, to determine if there is ever a need for repair or replacement of these valuable tools.

Add a Monitored CO Detector With Brinks Home

Protecting your home with a CO detector is a great way to keep harmful toxins out of your home. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are just some of the safety and security sensors offered by Brinks Home, and if you are interested in a home security system with the features you need, contact us to keep the search for the right detector short. Our life safety technology includes CO detectors that can be installed anywhere in your home for full protection. When dangerous levels of toxins are in the air, the detectors will sound. This gives your family enough time to take action and seek assistance. When you combine carbon monoxide detectors with professional monitoring, you’re not limiting yourself to just one tier of home security. You’re equipping your home with 24/7/365 professionally monitored systems.