$39.98
Lowe's
$46.99
Ace Hardware
What is carbon monoxide poisoning, and how can you prevent it?
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be hard to detect without an alarm.
Plug-in CO detectors are convenient because you can place them wherever you have a wall outlet. This model also has a battery backup (powered by two AA batteries), so it will keep running even during a power outage. The LED screen indicates backup battery level as well as CO levels. The brand also makes a lower-priced version without a screen.
If you are a frequent traveler and often find yourself staying in short-term lodging, consider bringing this portable CO detector with you. In the US, only 14 states require CO detectors in temporary lodging, and a lack of CO detectors has led to hospitalization and deaths locally and abroad. It has a built-in lithium battery with up to 10 years of battery life.
If you need a CO detector for an area of your home that does not have a wall outlet or hardwire option, consider a battery-powered model like this one from First Alert. It runs off of two AA batteries, included in the box.
If you prefer hardwiring your CO detector, this model is a good fit, plus it has a battery backup through a regular 9V alkaline battery. It doesn’t have a screen — push and hold the single button to test the alarm, or push it once to silence the low-battery chirp.
Kidde and First Alert are two of the biggest brands in the CO detector space. Kidde, however, has a much more extensive history of product recalls with its fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors than First Alert. In 2021, a federal judge ordered the brand to pay a $12 million civil penalty in connection with allegations that the company “failed to timely inform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about problems with fire extinguishers manufactured by the company.”
First Alert has had recalls too, but not as many as Kidde, and not for as many units.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can seem like flu-like symptoms without a fever, says Holran. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion and fainting. High levels of CO exposure can cause death.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed:
Some carbon monoxide detectors can be connected to each other wirelessly, meaning if one alarm goes off, all of them go off. This can be especially useful in large homes.
There are multiple ways to prevent a carbon monoxide incident from occurring in your home. Most prevention methods revolve around fuel-fired appliances and ventilation.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on air purifiers, wireless earbuds, and walking shoes. For this piece, I researched carbon monoxide and pulled information from reputable agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
