The majority of homes across the world have a battery or mains smoke alarm fitted in their home, in fact over 70% do. However the same cannot be said for carbon monoxide alarms as more than 70% do not have carbon monoxide alarms installed.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that cannot be seen, smelt or tasted; this is the reason why it is known as the silent killer. A small carbon monoxide leak can be just as dangerous as a major leak as it has the power to cause poisoning with long term effects including the possibility of death.

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of any combustion process, in other words a by-product of anything that burns. Within the home there are many items that produce carbon monoxide such as boilers, heaters, coal fires, paraffin heaters to name but a few.  Carbon monoxide can leak very easily especially if the rooms are not well ventilated or installed correctly in addition small cracks and blockages are also contributors to leaking carbon monoxide.  

To combat against carbon monoxide regular servicing of appliances will minimise the risk but things can happen between services so it is best to fit a carbon monoxide detector so that it can be detected at an early stage.

So what carbon monoxide alarm should you choose? The best CO alarms are the mains power alarms as battery alarms are often forgot about when the battery runs out. Ideally you should install an alarm in every room on the ceiling, but if this isn’t possible install the alarms in rooms that contain fuel burning appliances.

The reason the alarms should be installed on the ceiling is that the carbon monoxide gas rises to the ceiling and descends as it begins to cool. To be extra safe you could link both your carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms so that in the event of one going off they will all be triggered meaning you will hear the alarm no matter what room you are in.