Carbon Monoxide Detector

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hi all,

Just returned from visiting family for 9 days on 12/30. This morning at 10:30am I was woken up by my carbon monoxide detector beeping. I live in a large rental building so I called the maintenance guys and they came to replace the battery.

It didn't beep for a few hours, but then started to beep again. I called the building again and they said the entire detector probably needs to be replaced and that they will come tomorrow to install a new one. I asked if I should be worried about actual carbon monoxide poisoning and they said that it's probably just in need of a replacement and that this has happened to other residents before.

I did turn on my electric blanket for the first time this year last night and again this afternoon when it went off. I wonder if that has any correlation?

I currently have my windows open just in case, but this is Chicago so it's getting a little cold. I guess the only thing making me think this is a faulty alarm is the fact that my unit is at the end of the hallway with two other units and theirs haven't gone off.

My biggest concern is obviously my safety, but I also have two small dogs (15lbs, 18lbs) who I am worried about even more because the effects would hit them first.

Thoughts? What would you do? I am considering going to a hotel with my dogs because I am such a worrier and paranoid. Am I overreacting?!

 

[Planogirl]

I don't think that you're overreacting at all. I'd worry too.

Have you considered buying your own detector?

 

[tvguy]

If you are concerned about carbon monoxide, at least here, the fire department has a very sensitve detector and will come out and check. I can't think of how an electric blanket would cause it to go off. I suspect your repair folks are correct, the detector is defective.
Our laws changed one year ago today, and I have to have a carbon monoxide now even though my house is all electric. But, because I have a attached garage, I have to have the detector because a car left running in the garage could produce carbon monoxide.

 

[minkydog]

Hi all,

Just returned from visiting family for 9 days on 12/30. This morning at 10:30am I was woken up by my carbon monoxide detector beeping. I live in a large rental building so I called the maintenance guys and they came to replace the battery.

It didn't beep for a few hours, but then started to beep again. I called the building again and they said the entire detector probably needs to be replaced and that they will come tomorrow to install a new one. I asked if I should be worried about actual carbon monoxide poisoning and they said that it's probably just in need of a replacement and that this has happened to other residents before.

I did turn on my electric blanket for the first time this year last night and again this afternoon when it went off. I wonder if that has any correlation?

I currently have my windows open just in case, but this is Chicago so it's getting a little cold. I guess the only thing making me think this is a faulty alarm is the fact that my unit is at the end of the hallway with two other units and theirs haven't gone off.

My biggest concern is obviously my safety, but I also have two small dogs (15lbs, 18lbs) who I am worried about even more because the effects would hit them first.

Thoughts? What would you do? I am considering going to a hotel with my dogs because I am such a worrier and paranoid. Am I overreacting?!

Personally, I don't think you're overreacting. I would want this fixed ASAP and I wouldn't be staying in there if there was any doubt about whether it is safe. If you have a place to go, pick up your dogs and go.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to try to unpack, tidy up, and see how I feel in a bit and see if the dogs are acting strange. If so, I might go to a hotel for my own peace of mind!

 

[StephMK]

Is it somewhere you can take it down & look at the back? Ours started beeping this fall and kept it up after changing the battery. I looked on the back and it said it expires after 7 years and the dates matched up.

We replaced it and have had no issues since then. You can also buy plug in models at a home improvement store. That might give you peace of mind in addition to the bldg model.

I don't like having to worry about gas stuff, I grew up in electric only homes. I would not take any chances either but check the detector again first if you can.

 

[JessB320]

I would call the nearest fire station directly (not use 911) the number will be in a phone book and online. Tell them what you posted here, they Dan reassure you, or let you know if you should be worried. They also can come check the actual level with portable equipment. The problem is you won't notice a problem with feeling strange until its pretty advanced if at all .

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would not chance it. I would demand the building look at it today, and fix it. Or buy one of your own, today. Or call the CFD.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have to say that I would not be satisfied with the whole "faulty" reasoning. If the thing is beeping it means there is carbon monoxide being detected. If it is faulty as they say and it is acting crazy when they have tested and the levels are normal that is one thing but that is not what you are saying. Also, once it goes off to detect carbon monoxide it is no good and you need a new one. The FD told us that. Call your FD and tell them it keeps going off. It is not called a silent killer for nothing. Good luck.

 

[marlynnp]

Seriously? An electric blanket runs off electricity. There's no combustion involved.

Is there a furnace in or attached to your unit?
Are there detectors in every unit and in common areas?

If the answer to the first is no, and the second is yes - the detector is faulty and needs to be replaced. Depending on when a carbon monoxide detector was manufactured they need to be replaced every 3-6 years.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Seriously? An electric blanket runs off electricity. There's no combustion involved.

Is there a furnace in or attached to your unit?
Are there detectors in every unit and in common areas?

If the answer to the first is no, and the second is yes - the detector is faulty and needs to be replaced. Depending on when a carbon monoxide detector was manufactured they need to be replaced every 3-6 years.

I read online that space heaters can cause them to go off, so that was the only thing kind of close to that in my unit so I was just wondering.

Yes, my neighbors and hallways have the detectors also and I do not have a furnace in or attached to my unit.

I would think that if there were carbon monoxide GAS in my unit that it would travel to the hallway and/or the neighbors and theirs would detect it also? My unit is small so I would hope the fire alarm/carbon monoxide detectors in surrounding areas would also be able to detect anything dangerous.

Still hanging out with the windows open for now. Thanks!

 

[mickeysgal]

Yes, they absolutely can be faulty or simply wear out. Ours was beeping, we replaced the batteries, it would work for awhile and the beeping would resume. We have three in the house, one on each floor. As soon as we replaced it - new unit with new batteries, no more beeping.

They're cheap and easy to find. Home Depot, Walmart, etc. The price of one isn't worth what you're you'd be paying for a hotel room or increased utilities by having to leave the window open.

It has nothing to do with you plugging in your electric blanket.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Yes, they absolutely can be faulty or simply wear out. Ours was beeping, we replaced the batteries, it would work for awhile and the beeping would resume. We have three in the house, one on each floor. As soon as we replaced it - new unit with new batteries, no more beeping.

They're cheap and easy to find. Home Depot, Walmart, etc. The price of one isn't worth what you're you'd be paying for a hotel room or increased utilities by having to leave the window open.

It has nothing to do with you plugging in your electric blanket.

Thanks!

Luckily the building replaces it free of charge and the engineer is stopping by tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Just took the dogs out and my doorman said this has been happening to some other tenants and the building might go thru and replace everyone's. He didn't seem too concerned so I feel a bit better - but still thinking of getting out of here in a little bit.

Windows are open a little (utilities are included as a flat fee in our rent and I have been going outside with the dogs every hour or so for fresh (well....however "fresh" downtown Chicago air can be!) air.