The Advantages of a Protection 1 Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Modern security systems help your family prepare for emergencies in many ways, including with carbon monoxide alarms. According to the Center for Disease Control, CO poisoning kills an average of 430 people every year in the U.S., with carbon monoxide detectors required in the home in many states. Protection 1 not only installs carbon monoxide alarms to detect this threat, it also monitors your unit with trained staff to get you help in the event of a CO leak.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is produced when fuels are burned, such as natural gas, oil, wood, coal, propane, kerosene and gasoline. You can’t rely on your senses to tell you when carbon monoxide is present: it is colorless, odorless and tasteless. When inhaled, the gas displaces oxygen in the blood. In large enough quantities, CO quickly causes suffocation, loss of conscious and death. Chronic exposure at lower levels causes neurological and flu-like symptoms.
A Better Alarm
Protection 1 installs wireless carbon monoxide alarms for no-drill, same-day installation. The alarm detects rising levels of the gas, quickly alerting you to danger. To ensure round-the-clock protection, the alarm alerts your monitoring station if it is not operating properly with signals to indicate low battery, damage from tampering or malfunction. Protection 1 only installs ETL-listed carbon monoxide alarms, which meet North American safety standards.
The Importance of Monitoring
Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to alert you if CO is detected. However, the Center for Disease Control reports that people who are sleeping can die before ever experiencing symptoms. Pets are also vulnerable. This is why the carbon monoxide alarms installed by Protection 1 are monitored around the clock, even while you are away. At the first sign of rising CO, the alarm alerts your local monitoring station, regardless of whether your security system is armed. The Protection 1 team evaluates the situation and contacts local authorities if necessary.
State Laws on Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Many states have carbon monoxide detectors required by law. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the following states require a carbon monoxide alarm if your home is heated and has a bedroom, a fireplace or a garage: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. Other states require carbon monoxide alarms if your home is rented, recently constructed or offered for sale. While specific statutes vary, these states include Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Tennessee.
Monitored carbon monoxide alarms ensure that every member of your family has help when they need it, even if you are not there. Because your monitoring station is alerted when a unit needs service, you have peace of mind that you are always protected. The wireless design helps homeowners follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines to install carbon monoxide alarms in the hallway near every bedroom.