An oxygen analyzer is the best way to ensure that you and your family can quickly escape a dangerous gas leak. The poisonous gas doesn’t have a smell or taste, and it can kill you before you know something’s wrong. Luckily, human ingenuity has provided us with handy gadgets that help alert us to the danger. These devices range from inexpensive, battery-operated CO detector strips to more expensive alarms that plug into wall outlets. Some models are even system-connected and send an alert to a monitoring service, making it easy to get help when you need it.
Carbon Monoxide Detection Explained
The way carbon monoxide works is pretty simple: When it enters the body, it binds to hemoglobin and combines with oxygen in the bloodstream to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). As a result, the cells can’t get enough oxygen and begin to die. It’s called the “silent killer” because symptoms, such as dizziness, weakness and confusion, don’t appear until it’s too late.
The simplest way to protect yourself is with a basic carbon monoxide detector. Our budget pick, the First Alert CO600, is a good choice because it doesn’t have the fancy features of higher-end models but uses an electrochemical sensor that’s reliable and accurate. Plus, it plugs into a standard outlet, which is ideal for homes with limited space and multiple fuel-burning appliances or if you don’t want to worry about wired installation. Just make sure you’re not placing it too close to any area that generates high levels of CO for short periods, such as a kitchen or bedroom, because this can trigger frequent false alarms.