i dont know how old the alarm is, it was here when we bought the house. i dont know if the previous owner updated the alarm system. the alarm just turned on this morning. my sister is currently trying to turn it off ... any suggestions on what i should do?
2006-12-18 06:08:12 · 5 answers · asked by Jen 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well, carbon monoxide is poisonous. I don't really know. I would suggest you leave the house. I personally would go to home depot, get another one, see if it rings too. Oh, I would stay out of the house as much as possible. And I would open all the windows.
2006-12-18 06:16:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What should you do? Proceed very carefully.
First, DO NOT sleep in the house until you have figured out whether or not you have some kind of carbon monoxide problem. Carbon monoxide, as I suspect you know, can be very dangerous and since it causes drowsiness and eventually renders you unconscious it can be very dangerous.
Next, make sure you have plenty of fresh air entering your house at all times.
Now the alarm. Most Carbon Monox alarms have a sensor mechanism that only operates for a few years. The sensor degrades, so the unit must be replaced or it won't properly detect carbon monoxide. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the units every 3-5 years. If you've had your house longer than that, the unit needs to be replaced.
It is possible that your detector has a feature that sounds the alarm when the unit's sensor has degraded to the point where it won't work properly, but you need to find out for sure.
Next, find someone who can perform a carbon monoxide test in your home. Do not rely on amateur diagnosis to fix this problem. A heating contractor or your utility company should be able to recommend qualified professionals.
You should consider buying 2 new detectors regardless of how this situation turns out, but do not rely on these detectors to verify that you have a problem. They are for emergency warning only, not for self-diagnosis.
Any combustion appliance could be a source of carbon monoxide. Heaters, furnaces, water heaters, gas dryers, etc. The testing professional will be able to pinpoint the source if you indeed have a problem.
There are many DIY tasks out there. Finding out if you have a carbon monoxide problem is not one of them. Get a professional and be safe.
2006-12-18 06:59:24 · answer #2 · answered by The Famous Grouse 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Open a few windows to help air it out...
If you are in southern california, the gas company provides free carbon monoxide testing, 1-800-427-2200. Hopefully it's a false alarm....
2006-12-18 09:24:59 · answer #3 · answered by Papa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call fire dept on non emergency line if no one is sick get to fresh air incase there is a high co level. the fire dept will have portable units to test for co and they will also shut the alarm off for you.
2006-12-18 06:22:56 · answer #4 · answered by c m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your local gas and electric company they can test the air with there meters and tell you where it's comming from.
2006-12-18 14:05:14 · answer #5 · answered by angel48wings 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋