Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are essential safety devices that every home should have. Their primary purpose is to alert occupants to potential dangers—smoke detectors warn of fire, while CO detectors detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless gas.

Smoke Detectors should be installed:

• In each sleeping room: To ensure sleeping occupants are alerted to fires.
• Outside each sleeping area: In the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms to provide extra protection.
• On every level of the home: Including basements and habitable attics, as fires can start anywhere.
• Outside bathrooms: Not less than 3 feet horizontally from the door of a bathroom that contains a bathtub or shower.
• Hallways: In the hallway and in the room open to the hallway in homes where the ceiling height of a room open to a hallway serving bedrooms exceeds that of the hallway by 24 inches or more.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors should be placed:

• Carbon monoxide alarms are required in homes that have either gas burning appliances or have an attached garage that opens directly into the livable space.
• Carbon monoxide alarms in homes shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within the bedroom.

Both smoke and CO detectors are typically required by building codes in these locations, ensuring your home is protected from these potentially life-threatening hazards. Regular testing and maintenance of these devices are crucial to ensure they function correctly when needed most. By following these guidelines, you can keep your household safe and in compliance with local safety regulations.