Thank you First Alert for sponsoring this post. Don’t let the beep steal your sleep.
I talk a lot about procrastination here on the blog, and something I have procrastinated on that could be life or death, is installing carbon monoxide detectors in our home.
You all know my 3 teen girls mean the world to me, but as much as I hate to admit it, I have not been proactive when it comes to fire and carbon monoxide poison safety.
We recently had our air conditioning and heater replaced, and I was delighted to see that they left a carbon monoxide detector plugged into an outlet in our basement family room by the heater.
I instantly felt relief knowing it brought safety, and I was also very intrigued that there were CO detectors that you could simply plug into an outlet!
Where have these been all my life and why didn’t I know about them?
I felt relief but knew it was not enough. I knew we needed a detector in every bedroom and on every level of our home.
Anti-Procrastination with First Alert CO Detectors
Do you relate to my procrastination? Are you a Mom who would do anything to protect your kids but find yourself in the same boat?
Are you tired of replacing batteries or getting out the ladder to reach the alarm to check if it is working or turn off a false alarm?
I hear you! I feel you!
I have some simple answers so keep reading because CO alarms are so important and First Alert has a variety of alarms to meet your needs.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
First things first. What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless and deadly gas that can be produced by any fuel-burning device. The fact that it is odorless is scary.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide include any fuel-burning device, such as a furnace, boiler, stove, or cars. CO alarms detect this poisonous gas and provide early warning.
Know Carbon Monoxide Legislation in Your State
Do you know your state’s legislation in your state? Many states adopted new building codes that took effect in 2011.
In most of these cases, this means that one-and-two-family homes feature carbon monoxide alarms whose useful life of seven years is expiring or will expire soon.
The states affected are California, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
I’m a Nebraska girl, so that is one more very important reason to be on top of this.
Don’t Let The Beep Steel Your Sleep!
Since the legislation was passed in 2011, the time is coming close to replace those alarms since the useful life is about seven years for CO alarms.
Don’t let the beep steal your sleep! Don’t procrastinate and get on those alarms before they start beeping at you to alert you of their expiration dates.
What I Love About First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detectors
First, it can be as simple as plugging something in. This is my personal favorite style of alarm. It keeps the alarm down low where it is always reachable.
No climbing on ladders or chairs to replace a battery or check to make sure the alarm is still working.
This is honestly why I procrastinate…the simple fact that the alarms I had before were out of reach.
I’m also guilty of buying alarms but never installing them because it meant getting out a drill and screws.
It is amazing what can cause one to put something very important off, but the plug-in outlet style alarms are very much my jam now!
{art by Winship & Rose-buy it here}
Easiest Ever First Alert CO Detector
First Alert has a detector that is the easiest I have ever heard of.
It is a tabletop detector. What?!
All you have to do is find a flat surface that is out of reach of kids, then check it regularly to make sure it is still in working order.
It comes with a 10-year battery life, so no worries about constantly having to change the batteries — it could not be any easier.
I no longer have any reason not to stay on top of the alarms in my home.
If you don’t want to see it sitting out, just slip it behind something decorative. I slipped it behind the art piece made by the talented Winship and Rose.
Know Your Beeps
Get to know your beeps!
After becoming familiar with my First Alert alarms, the beep to listen for is 4 beeps, a pause then another 4 beeps.
This means Carbon Monoxide has been detected in your home and you need to head out for fresh air right away.
One beep every minute means the batteries are low.
Five beeps every minute means the detector is nearing the end of its 7-10 year lifespan.
To make it even easier, First Alert has a CO + Smoke talking alarm. It tells you what is wrong and covers all the bases.
Ways To Avoid Carbon Monoxide in Your Home:
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage and never use generators, gas-powered tools, and grills inside your home.
- Teach your kids what to do when the alarm goes off, and what it will sound like. Have an escape plan for your family and teach them how to dial 911.
- Install a CO detector on every level of your home and in every bedroom. Replace batteries every six months if they do not come with built-in ten-year batteries.
- Remember that alarms won’t last forever and need to be replaced entirely every 7-10 years.
- While you are checking CO alarms, make sure there is also a fire alarm on every level of your home and in bedrooms and a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and garage.
Use Season Change To Check Your Detectors Regularly
Check your detectors regularly. Change of season is always a great reminder to check the alarms.
We are heading into fall here in Nebraska. I love the routine fall brings and I actually can stop procrastinating on things that I have put off all summer.
Fall is a great time to push reset check all the things that matter.
You can find more information about First Alert alarms, and carbon monoxide safety here.
What about you?
Have you procrastinated with CO or Fire Alarms?
This is one instance where I hope I am the only one, but if not, I’m happy to share this solution with you!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
