First Alert CO Detectors help protect you by alerting you to the presence of CO while you still have time to respond. Without a First Alert CO Detector you can be killed by carbon monoxide in your home before you even have a chance to do anything about it. There is a reason that carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer and you can easily be affected by it in your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and invisible gas that is produced when fossil fuels are incompletely burned.

Some of the common fossil fuels in your home that can lead to carbon monoxide include gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil and methane. The most common sources of carbon monoxide are cooking equipment. A vehicle running in an attached garage can also cause high levels of carbon monoxide. This is why First Alert CO Detectors are the perfect way to protect you against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is important to understand the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Without knowing these symptoms it is possible you could suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning and not even know it. Symptoms to watch out for include confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, light headedness, vomiting, nausea, headaches and unconsciousness followed by death.

Some people are more sensitive to carbon monoxide such as the elderly, children, pregnant women and those with respiratory issues. For these individuals it is especially important that you have a First Alert CO Detector in your home.

Having a properly working First Alert CO Detector in your home can give you early warning against carbon monoxide exposure. You will become aware of a buildup of carbon monoxide gas before the levels become lethal. This is very important since you will not otherwise be aware of the gas, especially if you are sleeping. Levels of carbon monoxide can become lethal within just a few minutes and the only way to ensure you get out of the house alive is to have advanced warning with a First Alert CO Detector.

There are a variety of items in your home that can release carbon monoxide including fireplaces, heaters, hot water heaters, gas stoves, ovens, automobiles, grills, dryer and even being too close to a busy traffic area. This is why having a First Alert CO Detector is so important; you never know when any of the above items are going to emit a toxic level of carbon monoxide gas until it is too late.

All First Alert CO Detectors are tested and approved for residential use, but you still need to consider a few elements before choosing the right one for your home. Some types of CO detectors are more sensitive to CO than others.

Purchase a First Alert CO Detector with a memory if you want one that is sensitive to very low levels of carbon monoxide. Avoid a battery operated detector unless you have the time to check and replace the batteries often. Although, keep in mind that battery operated detectors are easier to place throughout your home than a plug in detector.