20
How to Care for Your Alarm
To keep your alarm in good working order, you must follow these simple
steps:
• Test the alarm once a week by pressing the Test/Reset button (see page 8).
• Vacuum the alarm cover once a month to remove accumulated dust. Use
the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner, and unplug the alarm
from the electrical outlet before vacuuming.
• Instruct children never to touch, unplug or otherwise interfere with the
alarm. Warn children of the dangers of CO poisonin
g.
• Never use detergents or solvents to clean the alarm. Chemicals can perma-
nently damage or temporarily contaminate the sensor.
• Avoid spraying air freshener, hair spray, paint or other aerosols near the
alarm.
• Do not paint the alarm. Paint will seal the vents and interfere with proper
sensor operation.
• Do not mount the alarm directly above or near a diaper pail, as high
amounts of methane gas can cause temporary readings on the digital dis-
play.
Note:
If you will be staining or stripping wood floors or furniture, painting,
wall-papering, or using aerosols or adhesives for a do-it-yourself project or
hobby,
before you begin: Remove the alarm to a remote location to
prevent possible damage to or contamination of the sensor.
You may
wish to unplug the alarm and store in a plastic bag during the project.
Never ignore a CO alarm. A true alarm is an indication of potentially dangerous levels
of carbon monoxide. CO alarms are designed to alert you to the presence of carbon
monoxide before an emergency, before most people would experience symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning, giving you time to resolve the problem calmly.
The following is a list of substances that at high levels can affect the sensor
and cause temporary readings on the digital display that are not carbon
monoxide readings:
Methane, propane, iso-butane, ethylene, ethanol, alcohol, iso-propanol, benzene,
toluene, ethyl acetate, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxides.
Also most
aerosol sprays, alcohol based products, paints, thinners, solvents, adhe-
sives, hair sprays, aftershave, perfumes, auto exhaust
(cold start) and some clean-
ing agents.
Maintenance
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO:
