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Can carbon monoxide alarms be faulty?

My carbon monoxide alarm has been going off for no reason. The first time, it freaked me out—I went outside and called 911, only to find out it was a false alarm. It’s continued to go off without needing to. Can carbon monoxide alarms be faulty?

avatar
Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Glad to hear you’re okay! It’s good that you went outside and called 911, even if you weren’t sure because
carbon monoxide exposure
can be deadly. A carbon monoxide detector can be faulty due to factors like old age, malfunctioning parts, or excess exposure to dust or moisture.
If you’re continuing to get false alarms, there are a few troubleshooting things you can do with your carbon monoxide detector:
  • Clean the device, removing excess dust
  • Replace batteries
  • Move detector to a better location (should be in clean areas; free from excess humidity, smoke, and direct sunlight)
A few factors can contribute to a carbon monoxide detector growing faulty over time:
  • Old age
  • Extended exposure to moisture or smoke
  • Components malfunctioning
If, after troubleshooting with your device, you’re still getting false alarms, it’s probably a good idea to replace it. You want to trust your carbon monoxide detector, especially if a real carbon monoxide emergency occurs.
Your carbon monoxide detector is important to keep your household safe, and so is having the right insurance policy.
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