Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a scary thought. Homeowners can take simple steps to help ensure they will be alerted to emergency situations by following carbon monoxide laws to ensure they have  the proper installation and maintenance of CO alarms.

State and local governments across the U.S. have recognized the importance of CO alarms and have created new safety laws  to help increase the number of detectors required in homes across the country.

In 2011, most states across the nation adopted new building codes that made it the law that carbon monoxide alarms are required for all one- and two-story family homes. Today, 48 U.S. states have passed legislation requiring carbon monoxide detectors in homes. Check your state's carbon monoxide legislation here.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Your Home

There are multiple types of carbon monoxide detectors that can be installed in your home. The most common are the CO alarms that plug in to your wall. First Alert also offers a portable carbon monoxide alarm that has a 10-year sealed battery and a digital temperature display. This CO detector is perfect for any living area or bedroom, and can be easily placed on a shelf, coffee table, or can even be mounted on the wall. You can also get combination smoke & CO alarms. These alarms are mounted high on a wall or on the ceiling. Contrary to popular belief, carbon monoxide detectors are still just as effective when mounted in these places.

• Plug-In CO Alarms
• Portable CO Alarms
• Combination Smoke & CO Alarms

Carbon monoxide can be produced by any fuel burning device, so it is critical you have multiple alarms around your house for whole home safety. It is recommended that you have at least one carbon monoxide detector on every level of the house and in every bedroom or sleeping area  to help keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. Having multiple alarms placed in the home is important to help ensure a carbon monoxide emergency can be detected as soon as possible, no matter where the leak originates, and that all family members can be alerted in a timely manner.

Just remember that detectors don’t last forever. You should regularly test and replace batteries in your detector to make sure they are working properly. Also, carbon monoxide alarm have an average lifespan of 5 to 7 years, so you must replace the whole alarm at the end of its life.