Well, you learn something new every day! A firefighter was just on our local news reminding people that carbon monoxide detectors are only designed to last about 5 years, so any approaching that age should be replaced.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT! I'm sure mine is that old! He also mentioned that smoke detectors "live" about ten years. Didn't know that either. I thought that if they were "working", they were fine. *getting out shopping list*

..and did you know that you can buy talking combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors now?

I replaced mine a month ago and bought some that are combo and they talk as well as sound a very annoying whiny shriek! They say "smoke detected" or "carbon monoxide detected" and they are LOUD.

We've always had a plan for the kids, that they go OUTSIDE as soon as they hear the alarm, no matter what. No investigating if it's real or not. Every now and then I reach up and sound the alarms and hide just to see that they do what they are told. They have to come to our bedroom window and wait for us to come out, and bang on the window if needed.

When I installed the new ones, I did it when they were not home and then sounded it for the first time when they were. The young DSS went tearing outside and was jumping up and down screaming "It TALKED to me, it TALKED to me!"

ROFL! He was so darned cute out there below the window, all excited. I KNOW he wanted to investigate it, but he did what he was supposed to do. Afterward we showed him the new detectors and demonstrated what they do for each scenario, so he would know and he would not try to check them out on his own.

Good reminder B2Y! Our fire dept. always does the reminder at daylight savings time. This year I am ahead of them!

I edited my post above to ensure that it said "carbon monoxide" (CO) and not "carbon dioxide" (CO2) because they are two very different compounds with two very different outcomes!

For a better explanation: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/466.html

Probably too late to change my thread title, huh? I knew better than that. Sorry.

All fixed.

Thanks for the heads up. I think our CO detectors are well over 5 years. Great thing to put on the Christmas list! We just replaced all of our smoke detectors over the last few years so we're all set there.

LOL! Me too, so don't feel bad!
The only reason I caught myself is because I was reading the Boston Globe online and there was an article about it today and I read it after I posted, hence the three hour delay in editing!


(and isn't Annie quick on the draw? She's a keeper for sure! )

I replaced mine a few years ago, as I recall there was a recommended replacement date inside? maybe outside? LOL me on a ladder is always fun to watch!

another detector tip from my Fire/Rescue days:

write the month and yr on batteries when you replace them (no guessing how old)

use a sharpie pen to write the install date on the inner lid of dectectors (helps with the "when did I buy this" cogfog)

also put replace battery, etc on your calendar.We d ours when the time changes 2x year, which is laso when they are usually on sale in the hardware stores.

Something to consider with regard to the combination CO and smoke detectors is that CO is heavier than air and sinks while smoke rises. Therefore, your CO detector needs to be low on the wall, as close to the floor as possible, while you want your smoke detector close to the ceiling, or ideally on the ceiling.

A combination detector is an unwieldy compromise, because if you place it high up, your entire house can fill with CO and kill you before it rises to the elevation of the detector. If you place it low, a fire can start and fill most of the house with smoke before it reaches down to the level of the detector. IMHO, you are better off with two separate detectors, each placed for earliest warning.