Change Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries Once per Year

Hello! This is a friendly reminder to change the batteries in your smoke detector AND carbon monoxide detector on an annual basis. If you cannot remember the last time that they were changed, now would be the time. Though when you accidentally burn breakfast you may wish the smoke detector did not work, it should always be ready to go in case of a true emergency.

Smoke is visible and has a distinct scent but Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can have serious health consequences if you are exposed to it, including death. It can come from a variety of sources, including a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace (so it is also important to have a furnace inspection). Due to the fact that it cannot be detected by humans until its effects are felt, it is imperative for the safety of yourself and your family to be sure that you have a detector in working order. A Carbon Monoxide detector usually lasts around 5-7 years, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about it during that time. It is important to change the batteries every year.

The US Product and Safety Commission recommends changing both the Carbon Monoxide detector batteries as well as your smoke detector batteries when you set your clocks back for daylight savings time.  However, you do not have to do it then-that is simply just a way of helping you remember to change the batteries annually.  Whenever you change the batteries, simply mark the date on your calendar for next year, or set an alert on your smartphone to help you remember.

KIDDE reminds us to also replace the batteries, “..any time the unit indicates the battery is low.”  Don’t wait for a year if your batteries are dead.

Carbon monoxide detectors are a great defense against carbon monoxide. If your home is not already equipped with one, feel free to contact FLAME to find out about installing one or more in your home. Once again, it is important to change the batteries in a carbon monoxide and a smoke detector every year. Keep your home safe!