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Why is my carbon monoxide detector going off in summer?

My carbon monoxide detector is going off in summer, which doesn’t make sense to me. Is this a false alarm? Why would my carbon monoxide detector go off in the summer?

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Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a danger that many consider something that can only happen during the winter months, but really, it can happen at any time of year, including summer.
It sounds like you’re okay—so you may have been dealing with a false alarm. 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
It’s a good idea to distance your carbon monoxide detector from your kitchen and any bathrooms, as well as dirtier spaces like garages or unfinished attics.
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 your detector is chirping at regular intervals, it’s likely either time to clean it, replace its batteries, or replace the carbon monoxide detector itself.
If you’ve moved your alarm to a better place, cleaned it, replaced the batteries, and it’s still giving you false alarms, it’s probably time to replace it.
Carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal, so if you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a false alarm, you should still evacuate your home and call 911.
Carbon monoxide detectors can help keep you and your family safe, and so can protection from the right insurance policy. With
Jerry
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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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