Do Not Send Your Child Off to College without a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Every home and dorm room should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed. These detectors are easy to install and can end up saving your life or the life of your children in the event of an emergency. There are a few things that you need to consider when it comes getting a carbon monoxide detector.
Why You Need One
The first important thing to consider is why you should give a carbon monoxide detector to your college student. Carbon monoxide can be released into your home in several different ways. When too much carbon monoxide is released into a home or dorm room then it can cause irreversible damage to the lungs and possibly even death. Just a few items that can cause carbon monoxide include fireplaces, heaters, hot water heaters, gas stoves, vehicles, grills and dryers.
All carbon monoxide detectors have been completely tested and approved for residential and household use. Although when purchasing a carbon monoxide detector for your college student that are a few key elements that you should consider. There are some carbon monoxide detectors which are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than others.
Which to Purchase
In order to have maximum protection for your college student you should get a carbon monoxide detector that alarms at the lowest level of buildup. This means you should choose a carbon monoxide detector that has a memory built in. While battery operated carbon monoxide detectors are easier to place, many college students lead busy lives and may not remember to change the batteries. Therefore, it may be a better idea to buy them a plug-in carbon monoxide detector.
Placing the Detector
After purchasing a carbon monoxide detector you need to make sure your college student knows where to place it. One carbon monoxide detector should be enough to cover a small dorm room, but it should still be placed near the sleeping area. For larger dorm rooms or apartments it can be a good idea to buy additional detectors and place at least one in each bedroom or major living area of the home. However, if you are only going to get one carbon monoxide detector then it is important that you at least place it in the main sleep area.
Never place a carbon monoxide detector near a fuel burning appliance since these will emit trace amounts of carbon monoxide which can cause the alarm to go off frequently. You also should place your carbon monoxide detector anywhere within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances. You should also avoid humid areas such as the bathroom.

When considering where to place carbon monoxide be sure to discuss the following guidelines with your college student:

-Place detector near the bedroom or anywhere where there will be a lot of people.
-The detector should be placed in an area where you can easily hear it and where you can easily see it.
-Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come with the detector and call the company if you are unsure about anything.
-Do not place the detector near open door or windows, in an excessively cold area or where material will cover it.