Gas Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors and more
Every year, hundreds of Americans die as the result of gas leaks in their homes. Thousands more are admitted to hospital following exposure to poisonous gases. Gas leaks in the home can cause asphyxiation, and they greatly increase the risk of explosions.
Gas detectors (also known as gas alarms) are small and relatively inexpensive devices that save countless lives every year by detecting the presence of hazardous gases inside homes and alerting residents to the danger. There are several different types of gas leak detectors, including carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas detectors and radon gas detectors.
Dangerous gases can be released by many seemingly innocuous devices inside the home, such as furnaces, water heaters, propane stoves, ventilation systems and even your car or truck. Some people think that they will be able to recognize a gas leak by smelling the gas in the air. While it’s true that some gases, such as natural gas, have a strong smell (natural gas is naturally odorless but has an artificial odor added to it), other gases, such as carbon monoxide, are completely odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are very similar to the flu (headaches, nausea) and many people fail to get the proper medical treatment because they don’t recognize that they are being poisoned. Nearly all of these deaths could be prevented if gas detectors were in use.
You can minimize the risk of exposure to harmful gases by ensuring that all your home appliances are properly installed and in good working order, making sure that your ventilation system is functioning properly and never leaving your vehicle idling inside your garage.
If your gas detector ever sounds an alarm, immediately leave your home and use a cell phone to call 911.
Why Are Gas Detectors Essential for Safety?
- Gas detectors can detect dangerous gases that are colorless, odorless and tasteless.
- Exposure to harmful gases can cause permanent injury and even death.
- Gas detectors can prevent people from mistaking the symptoms of gas poisoning for the flu.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Gas Detector
- Where will you place the gas detector inside your home?
- How many gas detectors will it take to adequately monitor your entire home?
- Will you need a professional to install and calibrate your gas detector?
Top Gas Detector Brands
- Safety Siren gas detectors
- First Alert gas detectors
- Kidde gas detectors
