Smoke and Carbon

Monoxide Alarms

Understanding Safety and Best Practices

Where Should I Put Smoke Alarms?

Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home, including the basement. When possible, choose interconnected smoke alarms, so that when one sounds, they all sound.

Illustration of Smoke Alarm on ceiling above bed
Illustration of smoke alarm on ceiling outside of bedroom

Smoke Alarms in Kitchens

Did you know that fires start in kitchens more than any other room in the home? It is important to have smoke alarms in your kitchen but to minimize false alarms, make sure that all smoke alarms are at least 10 feet away from any cooking appliance.

Illustration of smoke alarm above stove with red x through image
Illustration showing smoke alarm placed at least ten feet away from stovetop

How Long Do Smoke Alarms Last?

Make sure you test your smoke alarms every month. If the device alarms or announces voice prompts, the smoke alarm is working properly, however, if it only chirps, it may be time to replace the battery or the entire unit. Smoke alarms are not made to last more than 10 years so make sure that you replace them before then.

Illustration of person pushing test button on smoke alarm
Illustration of smoke alarm with text to show that smoke alarms should be swapped out every ten years

Smoke Alarm FAQs

  • Smoke alarms may sound small short chirps when they are low on battery or nearing the end of their life. If your smoke alarm is chirping, begin by checking the date to make sure the smoke alarm has not expired. If the smoke alarm has a replaceable battery, try swapping out the battery for a fresh one. Keep in mind that occasional chirps are short and infrequent. If your smoke alarm is sounding a loud consistent alarm, exit the building and call 911.

  • Smoke alarms can be hardwired (no battery), hardwired with a battery backup, or battery-powered. To determine if your smoke alarm is battery-powered, remove your smoke alarm by following the manufacturers instructions. Many smoke alarms can be removed from their mount easily by twisting the smoke alarm. If there is a cable connecting the smoke alarm to the wall or ceiling, the smoke alarm is hardwired, or hardwired with a battery backup. If there is no wire, the smoke alarm is battery-powered. Keep in mind that removing the cable from a hardwired smoke alarm may set off other smoke alarms in your home.

  • Smoke alarms are required in all residential dwellings by law in Colorado. In Boulder County, smoke alarms must be on each floor of a multi-level home and within 15 feet of every sleeping area doorway.

  • Smoke alarms are available in many hardware stores and big box stores. Check with the store before you go to make sure that they have the smoke alarm you are looking for, or check the website. It is not recommended to purchase smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors from online stores as there have been issues with counterfeits in recent years.

Where Should I Put Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Install carbon monoxide alarms outside each separate sleeping area, on every level of the home. Some smoke alarms have built-in carbon monoxide detectors.

Illustration of smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector outside bedroom
Illustration showing three story home with carbon monoxide detector on every floor

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Buildup

Many appliances in your home can produce carbon monoxide. Make sure all vents for your furnace, stove, fireplaces and dryers are clear of snow and other debris to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Illustration showing dryer vent being blocked by snow outside of home
Illustration showing unblocked dryer vent and a green check mark

Testing Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Make sure you test your carbon monoxide detectors every month. If the device alarms or announces voice prompts, the smoke alarm is working properly, however, if it only chirps, it may be time to replace the battery or the entire unit. You can test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms at the same time.

Illustration showing carbon monoxide detector test button being pressed with text on the image stating 'Carbon Monoxide Alarm'
Illustration of calendar

Carbon Monoxide Detector FAQs

  • Carbon monoxide alarms may sound small short chirps when they are low on battery or nearing the end of their life. If your detector is chirping, begin by checking the date to make sure the detector has not expired. If the detector has a replaceable battery, try swapping out the battery for a fresh one. Keep in mind that occasional chirps are short and infrequent. If your detector is sounding a loud consistent alarm, exit the building and call 911.

  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors can be hardwired (no battery), hardwired with a battery backup, battery-powered, or plug into an outlet. To determine if your detector is battery-powered, remove your detector by following the manufacturers instructions. Many detectors can be removed from their mount easily by twisting the detector If there is a cable connecting the detector to the wall or ceiling, the detector is hardwired, or hardwired with a battery backup. If there is no wire, the detector is battery-powered. Keep in mind that removing the cable from a hardwired detector may set off other detectors in your home.

  • Carbon monoxide detectors/alarms are required in all homes built or transferred, and all apartments rented after September 1, 2009. Carbon monoxide is an odorless colorless gas that can cause suffocation. Carbon monoxide alarms can detect low levels of carbon monoxide and alert you if there is a hazardous level present.

  • Carbon monoxide detectors are available in many hardware stores and big box stores. Check with the store before you go to make sure that they have the device you are looking for, or check the website. It is not recommended to purchase smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors from online stores as there have been issues with counterfeits in recent years.