The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that 2,100 Americans die each year in this country from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In fact, carbon monoxide poisoning has become the United States’ number one cause of poisoning deaths. Carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, making it an undetectable killer without a carbon monoxide detector. However, carbon monoxide poisoning is entirely preventable if you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Additionally, the law requires homeowners to install smoke detectors in their homes. You can successfully protect your family against domestic disasters by having Mr. Electric of Middletown perform a carbon monoxide and smoke detector install in Middletown, DE and other cities in Kent County and New Castle County.
What Are the Sources of Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide can originate from various household appliances, including water heaters, furnaces, gas clothes dryers, gas ranges or stoves, and wood or gas fireplaces. Other sources producing CO include exhaust from cars, gas or charcoal grills, and fuel-burning space heaters. Operating these appliances and features in poorly ventilated areas or when they have venting malfunctions can cause carbon monoxide to build up rapidly. If you have a close woodstove flue or clogged chimney, CO can back up into your home. Mr. Electric of Middletown prioritizes safety first and recommends the following ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning at home:
- Install CO detectors in your home (Minimum of one detector per level and outside each bedroom).
- Change your CO detector batteries every six to 12 months.
- Never run a vehicle, generator, or device with a fuel-fed motor inside your garage or home.
- Always turn off your vehicle when parked in your garage.
- Look for the American Gas Association or Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) seal of approval when purchasing gas appliances or equipment.
- Have a licensed appliance professional inspect your gas appliances annually.
- Never use flameless chemical heaters in enclosed spaces or indoors.
- If you have a malfunctioning gas appliance, have a service expert repair it.
- Always open your flue when burning a fire in your furnace or fireplace.
- Do not heat your home with a gas oven.
- Always operate grills in a well-ventilated outdoor area.
- When camping, use battery-operated heaters.
- Adjust all gas appliances properly, using an exhaust fan when appropriate.
- Understand which sound is your smoke detector and which is your CO detector.
- Contact your local fire department if you can’t afford a CO detector. Programs are in place to help low-income households and the elderly acquire these devices.
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Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation and Replacement
Mr. Electric has completed thousands of Carbon Monoxide Detector installations to date. Your local Mr. Electric offers a portfolio of product solutions that touch every part of the Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation and Replacement process.
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Smoke Detector Inspection
Smoke detectors are only helpful if they’re well-maintained. Hundreds of house fire deaths occur each year because smoke detectors are not installed or working correctly. Protect yourself and your family from that risk. Contact Mr. Electric® to inspect these life-saving safety devices in your home.
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Smoke Detector Installation and Replacement
Your local Mr. Electric offers a portfolio of product solutions, including smoke detector installations and smoke detector replacements that touch every part of the smoke and fire safety process.
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Smoke Detector Repair and Service
Smoke detectors save lives, but only if they’re in proper working condition. Current codes require hardwired smoke detectors for new-construction homes. If you’re having trouble with a hardwired smoke detector system, Mr. Electric® will perform smoke detector repairs to keep your household safe.