A carbon monoxide (CO) detector should be placed:
- On each level of the home, including the basement.
- Inside or near each bedroom, ideally within 10 feet of bedroom doors.
- Near or over any attached garage.
- Mounted on a wall about five feet from the floor or at eye level, avoiding placement near windows, doors, or vents.
- At least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances like fireplaces, stoves, or heating equipment to avoid false alarms.
- Away from high humidity areas such as bathrooms, direct sunlight, or places with too much or too little air circulation.
- Not too close to ventilation sources like windows, doors, or extractor fans.
Additionally, the detector should be positioned so that its alarm can be easily heard in sleeping areas, and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions for optimal performance. If only one detector is installed, placing it near the main sleeping area is most important.
