How to Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms

To avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, it's important to properly install CO detectors in your home. Carbon monoxide alarms should be centrally located outside the sleeping areas and near the bedroom doors. A good location would be on the upstairs landing or hallway outside the bedroom doors. You can also install them in each bedroom and on every level of the house. If your upstairs hallway is longer than forty feet, install one at each end. For added protection, install one twenty feet from fuel-burning heat sources.

2 AA batteries
Pencil
Drill with 3/16-inch bit
Flat screwdriver
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Open the battery door and insert the AA batteries. Make sure that you get the polarity correct. A chirp will sound when they are inserted correctly. Close the battery compartment.
- 2
  Pick a location to install the alarm. It shouldn't be closer than four feet from where the wall and ceiling meet.
- 3
  Place the paper template against the wall and mark the holes you plan to use to screw the detector to the wall.
- 4
  Drill the holes for the anchors that are included.
- 5
  Insert the anchors in the wall and tap with a hammer to get them flush.
- 6
  Drive the screws into the anchors until the heads are exposed one-eighth of an inch.
- 7
  Slide the alarm onto the screws.
- 8
  Push and hold the test button until the LED light flashes. The alarm will beep four times, pause and then beep another four times and the red alarm light will flash if the device is working.

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