Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is produced whenever any fuel is burned. Because it is impossible to see, taste, or smell, CO can kill you before you are even aware it is there. That is why it is important to have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

There are two types of carbon monoxide detectors: battery-operated and plug-in. Battery-operated detectors can be placed anywhere in your home, while plug-in detectors must be plugged into an outlet.

It is recommended that you test your carbon monoxide detectors once a month to make sure they are working properly. There are two ways to test a carbon monoxide detector: with a CO detector tester or by using a lit candle.

CO Detector Tester:

If you have a CO detector tester, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use it. Most testers will emit a small amount of CO gas, which will set off the detector.

Candle Test:

If you do not have a CO detector tester, you can use a lit candle to test your detector. First, make sure that the detector is not near any flammable objects.

Next, hold the lit candle about 6 inches away from the detector and wait for the alarm to sound. If the alarm does not sound, or if it sounds after you have moved the candle away from the detector, then the detector is not working properly and you should replace it. If the alarm sounds, then the smoke detector is functioning as it should.

As you can see,  electrical contractors in Fairfax, VA is a simple way to test a smoke detector without any special tools. You can repeat this test on a monthly basis, or whenever you want to make sure that the detector is working properly. You can also use the test button on the detector to test it’s sound level and battery. If you have any questions about this or any of our other products or services, please contact us at Security Alarm Corporation. We’d be happy to help you.

Be sure to test your detectors once a month, using either a CO detector tester or a lit candle. If your detector is not working properly, replace it immediately.