Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, yet many people don’t know they are suffering from CO poisoning until its too late. Since symptoms of CO poisoning are like the flu, you might not even know you’re in danger at first. That’s why a carbon monoxide alarm is an excellent way to protect your family. It can detect the CO you can’t see, smell or taste in the air.
The First Alert GCO1CN combination explosive gas and carbon monoxide alarm uses an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor-the most accurate technology available. It also detects natural gas, methane gas, and propane gas. Installation is as simple as plugging it in to any wall outlet or mounting it above an outlet and plugging in the higher line cord. Its easy-to-read large digital display gives you a clear readout of current hazard and levels. A peak level button alerts you to the highest level of explosive gas or carbon monoxide detected. The alarm includes a battery back-up giving you peace of mind in a power outage. The test/silence button both silences a non-threatening alarm or low battery warning and allows you to test the unit’s functionality. The unit monitors and alarms if carbon monoxide or explosive gas levels persist sounding a loud 85-decibel horn. A low battery signal alerts you to replace the 9-volt battery (included). UL listed. –Bree Norlander
What’s in the Box
One combination carbon monoxide and explosive gas alarm, one 9-volt battery, and user’s manual…….
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Technical Details
– Plug-in combination carbon monoxide and explosive gas alarm with battery back-up
– 3-way protection against natural, methane, and propane gases and carbon monoxide
– Uses electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor–the most accurate technology available
– Remote-controlled silence/test button; low battery warning
– Includes 9-volt battery
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2010-08-09
By John T
Simple and easy to set up. Simply plug in and you are protedted. Test button helps make sure the product can be heard throughout the home.
2010-07-10
By HMMWV (santa clara, CA USA)
The unfortunate thing about carbon MONoxide deaths is that unless you have been trained to recognize the symptoms quickly you start to feel pretty darn good, a sort of wellness or euphoria, before you die. Carbon MONoxide should not be confused with carbon DIoxide, which can asphyxiate should it leak in a laboratory setting to such a level as to displace the oxygen in the room, but otherwise isn’t a killer as carbon MONoxide is. It is a component of combustion from charcoal briquettes, generators, lamps, gas appliances (heaters/stoves), and furnaces just to name a few. Abbreviated CO it binds to the hemaglobin in the blood with a more attractive quality not allowing the blood to carry oxygen (O) , but (CO) instead. The brain of a trained individual (EMT/fire/pilots are a few examples) can recognize the symptoms but most people will just feel real good. The line from there to death is fast and steep, making CO gas the silent killer. As the body is designed to eliminate CO2 through exhilation, it does not poison like CO does. Running car engines inside a garage with the door down is another source of CO.
Different hazards surround gas appliances if there is a natural gas leak. Natural gas is perhaps the most dangerous as it has an explosive mix ratio with oxygen that covers a wide percentage range. This is why oderants are added to natural gas (methane or CH4) to give it that foul smell. The human nose can detect it in the ppm range before it reaches its lower explosive level. That is if you are awake, and at home.
I modified my detector and wired it into my home’s centrally monitored and supervised alarm system’s inputs using isolation relays so that if I am not home and gas is detected, the alarm will call for help to the fire department with the type of alarm and location.
Previously these sensors were very expensive and not a part of every gas habitable space or RV. They should be. It will make the owner aware of the gas combustion byproducts and encourage venting by alarming, and they have saved lives when the family furnace had a broken firebox thus pumping CO into the house while the family slept. While more expensive than a smoke detector, it’s cheap protection from hazards of not being an all-electric house.
Using a lithium battery for backup should prevent a replacement for many years with its 110 vac power. The product could be improved by having a terminal strip on the back for wiring into centrally monitored alarm systems, which is why I rated it a 4/5. Modification no doubt voids the warantee but adds functionality for someone familiar with alarm design – it’s just a pain!
2010-05-02
By Henrietta Household (Henrietta, NY)
This alarm seems to function fine – no false alarms or other problems yet. My only complaint is that it’s designed so that when you plug it into one outlet in a duplex receptacle, it also covers up the other outlet (unless you use the option to detach the alarm from the plug and mount it elsewhere on the wall).
2010-02-03
By P. K. Jhawar (UTAH)
I had installed it in the basement about 20ft away from the gas heating furnace. It was installed about a month ago I have had no false alarm so far. Smoke and Co alarm in that area gives me a great sense of protection.
PKJ
2009-12-18
By Concerned California Homeowner (Northern California)
I purchased this product, ensured the battery backup was working, tested the alarm, then placed it directly on top of a gas stove, while gas was running with no flame for several minutes. There was alarm whatsoever regarding explosive gas.
If it does not go off when virtually immersed in “explosive gas”, it is more dangerous to have this item than to have no detector at all, since it simply lulls you into a false since of security.
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Get the Best Deal on First Alert GCO1CN Plug In Combination Explosive Gas/Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup
