What To Do If My Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off
Immediate action required: If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, do not ignore it. Immediately move everyone to fresh air outdoors or by an open window. Call emergency services (911) or your local fire department. Do not re-enter the premises until emergency responders declare it safe.
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, it signals the presence of a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal. It is critical to take immediate action to ensure your safety. In this guide, we'll discuss the sound of a carbon monoxide alarm, why your carbon monoxide detector may be beeping, and the five steps to take if you have a carbon monoxide detector going off.
5 Steps to Take If Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Goes Off
If you hear the distinct 4-beep pattern of a CO alarm, follow these steps immediately:
- Do not ignore the alarm. Assume it is working properly and there are unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in your home.
- Evacuate immediately. All people and pets should quickly leave the home and find fresh air.
- Call 911. Once safe, call emergency services immediately and report that the alarm has gone off.
- Wait for clearance. Do not assume it is safe to reenter the home when the alarm stops. Opening windows and doors helps diminish the amount of carbon monoxide in the air, but the source may still be producing gas. Levels can build up again once you close the windows.
- Identify the source. Have emergency responders check for the source of carbon monoxide and determine if it is safe for you to return to your home.
My Carbon Monoxide Detector Was Going Off Then Stopped: What Do I Do?
Even if the alarm stops, evacuate and call for help. A carbon monoxide detector went off then stopped for a reason—often because the gas levels fluctuated, but the danger remains.
If you have a carbon monoxide detector chirping and then it stops, it's important to take the situation seriously. Get everyone out of the home to a place with fresh air. Contact 911 or your local fire department to report the incident. They can come to your home with specialized equipment to measure CO levels and ensure it is safe to re-enter.
How To Turn Off Carbon Monoxide Alarm When It Is Going Off
To silence a CO alarm, press the "silence" or "reset" button. However, only do this if you are testing the unit or are certain there is no emergency. If the alarm sounds due to CO detection, prioritize evacuation over silencing the device.
If your carbon monoxide alarm is going off and you need to silence a false alarm (e.g., from a low battery), follow these steps:
- Locate the Reset Button: Most CO detectors have a "silence" or "reset" button on the front or side. Press it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check Batteries: If the detector is battery-operated and it is safe to do so, you can remove the batteries to stop the alarm temporarily.
- Unplug Hardwired Units: For hardwired models, you may need to unplug the unit.
- Verify Safety First: This should only be done if you are sure there is no ongoing CO danger. If the alarm continues to go off without any apparent carbon monoxide threat, it may be faulty or reaching the end of its lifespan (often 5-7 years). In this case, replacing the unit is important to ensure ongoing safety.
Note: Silencing the alarm may only stop it briefly. It will reactivate if CO levels remain high.
What Are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure?
Early detection of CO poisoning is vital. The symptoms often mimic the flu but without a fever. Common signs include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
- Light-headedness
- Blurred vision
- Sleepiness
- Loss of muscle control
- Increased heart rate
- Tightening in the chest
If you experience these symptoms while your carbon monoxide detector is going off, seek medical attention immediately.
Connect With A Carrier Dealer For Your Indoor Air Quality Needs
Do you have indoor air quality questions other than "what to do when a carbon monoxide alarm goes off"? Your Carrier dealer is equipped to diagnose any indoor air quality issues you may be facing and recommend the best Carrier indoor air quality solution to remedy the problem. Schedule an appointment with your local Carrier dealer today to get started.
Frequently asked questions about furnaces
A carbon monoxide detector beeping typically indicates the presence of carbon monoxide, requiring immediate attention and evacuation. However, different beep patterns can mean different things. A consistent 4-beep pattern is an emergency alarm. A chirp every minute usually signals a low battery, while 3-5 chirps per minute often indicate a malfunction or end-of-life warning. Check the detector’s manual to understand the specific pattern.
A carbon monoxide alarm emits a loud, continuous, 4-beep pattern (four quick beeps, a pause, then repeats). This distinctive sound is meant to grab attention, even during sleep. It is crucial to differentiate this emergency sound from the low-battery chirp, which is usually a single beep at longer intervals.
Yes, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector will sound continuously when it detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The alarm typically emits a series of loud, high-pitched beeps in a repeated pattern until the CO levels drop or the detector is reset.
Yes, high humidity can sometimes cause false alarms in carbon monoxide detectors. Moisture can accumulate on the sensor, causing it to malfunction. If your alarm goes off near a bathroom or laundry room after heavy steam usage, humidity might be the culprit, but you should always treat the alarm as real until proven otherwise.
Carbon monoxide detectors may go off at night due to real CO buildup from fuel-burning appliances (like furnaces) running while the house is closed up. However, false alarms can also occur at night because cooler temperatures cause battery voltage to drop, triggering a low-battery chirp.
About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Carrier, where he develops informative, straightforward content to help homeowners better understand heating, cooling, and indoor air quality. His writing is focused on empowering homeowners to make confident, well-informed choices about their home comfort systems.