Update on Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

 

Since Colorado made carbon monoxide detectors a law for rental properties July 1, 2009, it appears that more equipment options have hit the market.  It is likely that more states will follow suit.  Frankly, even if it isn’t law in your state, installing carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors just makes good sense… for safety and liability.

 

Even though my loyalties are usually with Home Depot, my most recent research has me gravitating to Amazon.com for a better selection and better pricing.  I’m not sure about other Home Depot stores, but the two I do the most business with have not had items in stock that their website indicates are there. 

 

For a hardwired (wired into your electrical system and not battery dependent) smoke and carbon monoxide alarm with voice warning, the best price for a name brand (Kidde) is on Amazon.com at $31.99.  The voice warning says what kind of warning it is to speed evacuation. 

 

If you just can’t manage the direct wired devises right now, Kidde’s battery operated carbon monoxide detector with digital display is a great choice.  The display shows the level of carbon monoxide and has a memory feature for previous readings.  Again the best price for name brand is $23.99 on Amazon.com.

 

There was another apartment building fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado last week.  Due to functioning smoke detectors, no lives were lost.

In reading about smoke detectors, it appears that ionization smoke and fire alarms detect fast moving fires quicker.  Kidde brand at Amazon.com has a battery operated device for just $7.99. 

 

Now, if you need a good basic battery operated smoke detector, Home Depot has the Universal Security brand for $4.45. 

 

It is glaringly obvious that I have not mentioned plug-in carbon monoxide detectors.  My years of experience as a landlord have taught me that anything plugged in… in a rental …is likely to be unplugged and put on a shelf if it does not suit the immediate needs of the tenant.  I don’t… rather won’t …take the risk of a tenant unplugging a carbon monoxide detector and not plugging it back in immediately.  At least a battery operated devise on the ceiling is not in the way when a receptacle is needed to plug in a new stereo.

 

My husband was a volunteer fire fighter for many years.  We lived with a police and fire department scanner 24/7.  I guess those years left me with a need to know that I have done as much as possible to protect those I care about. 

 

What other safety issues can we address that would be helpful?  Comments and suggestions are really helpful and appreciated.

 

Thanks,

B

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Art of Being a Landlord by admin