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Why is my carbon monoxide detector going off for no reason?
My carbon monoxide detector went off and scared the daylight out of me. I called 911 and it ended up being a false alarm; I was so embarrassed. Why is my carbon monoxide detector going off for no reason?
Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You did the right thing by calling 911—glad to hear it was a false alarm and that you’re okay. There are plenty of reasons a carbon monoxide detector might give a false alarm, including its age, battery life, and location in your home.
Here are some common causes of a false alarm from a carbon monoxide detector:
- Old age
- Exposure to excess moisture
- Location (should be in clean, smoke-free, non-humid areas out of direct sunlight)
- Time to replace batteries
Spaces like attics, crawl spaces, or garages aren’t good spots for carbon monoxide detectors since they’re prone to dirt, dust, and other debris. Kitchens and bathrooms aren’t ideal places either due to the potential for smoke and humidity.
To reduce false alarms:
- Test and clean your carbon monoxide detector monthly
- If battery-powered, replace batteries twice a year
- Replace the detector if it can’t be cleaned or it’s otherwise faulty
If you move your alarm to a more ideal location, clean it, and it’s still giving you false alarms, it’s probably time to replace it.
Carbon monoxide exposure is deadly. If you’re not sure whether it’s a false alarm, you should still evacuate your home and call 911.
Carbon monoxide detectors keep you and your household safe, as does the right
homeowners
or renters insurance policy. If you want to save money on home, renters, or car insurance, the Jerry
app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new home or renters insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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