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Do carbon monoxide detectors go bad?

I am a new homeowner and am very freaked out by the idea of carbon monoxide. I’ve got alarms set up everywhere, but I’ve got a question—do carbon monoxide detectors go bad?

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Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re glad you’re on top of this—you need to be proactive to stay safe. The answer is yes, carbon monoxide alarms can die or malfunction. It’s important to test your alarm regularly and make sure it is working properly.
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer—it is a deadly gas that is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. To keep you safe, all homeowners need a working carbon monoxide detector.
If your carbon monoxide detector is beeping in regular intervals, there is likely an issue. Here are a few things to look out for:
  • One beep every fifteen minutes means low battery.
  • Three beeps every fifteen minutes means a malfunction
  • Five beeps every fifteen minutes means the detector is dying.
Regularly test your alarms by pressing down the test button on every alarm. Having a professional come check out your alarm system every few months is also a smart idea.
Another great way to keep yourself safe at home is a great
homeowners insurance
policy. Use insurance broker Jerry to find good coverage at a low price.
Jerry
is a licensed brokerage app that makes insurance shopping easy. A free sign-up gives you insurance quotes from a long list of top providers. Just check the quotes and pick the right policy for your needs. Then, Jerry helps with your paperwork!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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