Who do I call if my carbon monoxide alarm is going off?

Author: Sadye Dietrich  |  Last update: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

If your CO detector goes off and you feel ill, leave the house and call 911 or the local fire department. If you do not feel ill, push your detector's reset button. If the alarm goes off again after a few minutes, open the windows, leave the house and call 911 or the local fire department.

Should I call the fire department if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

Yes, if a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm goes off, you should take it seriously. Here are the steps you should follow: Evacuate Immediately: Get everyone out of the building and into fresh air. Call 911: Once you are safe, call emergency services to report the alarm. They can send professionals to assess the situation.

Can I call the fire department to check for carbon monoxide?

Yes, the fire department can check for carbon monoxide. If you suspect the presence of carbon monoxide in your home or building, it's essential to act quickly. Evacuate the area, ensure everyone's safety, and call your local emergency services or fire department.

Who to call to check for carbon monoxide leak?

If you notice this, call 911. Have the fire department check for CO in your house. If CO is present, the source must be repaired before it is safe to return home.

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.

What to Do if Carbon Monoxide Alarm is Going Off

What if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off but no fire?

False or nuisance alarms are when your smoke detector or CO alarm goes off, but there is no presence of smoke or carbon monoxide in your home. However, if your smoke or carbon monoxide detector sounds indicating an emergency and you are not certain it is a nuisance alarm, evacuate the home and call 9-1-1.

What to do if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off and then stops?

If you have a carbon monoxide detector chirping and then it stops, it's important to take the situation seriously, even if the alarm is no longer sounding. Even if the alarm has stopped, get everyone out of the home to a place with fresh air.

How much does it cost to get your house checked for carbon monoxide?

Professional carbon monoxide testing can cost from $100 to $200+. But, most homeowners usually have carbon monoxide detectors which can range from $20 to $150+, according to Home Advisor, depending on the detector type.

Is a carbon monoxide alarm an emergency?

If it still sounds, call the fire department. If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel.

Who do I call if my carbon monoxide alarm keeps going off?

CO detectors are very sensitive and designed to alert occupants before CO reaches dangerous levels. If your detectors go off, call 911 and evacuate the home. Be sure to notify them if anyone in the house is experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Will opening a window help with carbon monoxide?

If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: DO GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.

What can falsely set off a carbon monoxide detector?

Common causes of false alarms of carbon monoxide:
  • Close to cooking sources (10 feet minimum)
  • Close to sources of humidity (10-20 feet)
  • Near fireplaces.
  • Near water heaters.
  • Near furnaces.
  • Located in a poorly ventilated location like a garage, kitchen, or closet.

Should I worry if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

If the alarm on your carbon monoxide detector is going off in a continuous, shrill way, get outside to fresh air right away. Make sure you contact your emergency provider to give you the all-clear before re-entering your dwelling.

How to tell if carbon monoxide is leaking?

What Are Signs of Carbon Monoxide in Your Home?
  1. Yellow or orange flames coming out of your gas appliances instead of the usual blue flame.
  2. Dark and sooty staining on or around gas appliances.
  3. Pilot lights that frequently blow out.
  4. Increased condensation on windows.
  5. Solid fuel fires burn much slower than usual.

What does 4 beeps mean on carbon monoxide?

What Does an Emergency Alarm Chirp Mean? This meaning is probably the most self-explanatory. When your carbon monoxide detector chirps 4 times in a row and pauses, this means it has detected unsafe levels of carbon monoxide. This means your entire household should evacuate immediately and seek fresh air.

Who can test my home for carbon monoxide?

Some municipal fire departments and utility companies will come to your home and check for carbon monoxide for free or at reduced rates. The main tool used in these tests is an electronic portable toxic multi-gas monitor.

How do I know if my house is full of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and tasteless. Inspection helps protect yourself and your family. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and plan to check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.

Who to contact when a carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

What to do if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off. If your carbon monoxide alarm is beeping, immediately get out of the building and call the relevant helpline for the fuel type. The gas emergency helpline is 0800 111 999. Call a registered engineer to check all your fuel-burning appliances.

What if carbon monoxide alarm goes off but no fire?

Your carbon monoxide alarm is going off for one of the following reasons: It is doing its job properly and detects CO pollution in the air. It is a false alarm caused by other household items. The detector is malfunctioning or the batteries need changing.

What can trigger a carbon monoxide alarm?

CO alarms are designed to warn you of any unusual build-up of CO in your home. These higher levels of CO may occur from improperly maintained, installed or used fuel-burning appliances, backdrafting appliances or fireplaces, or idling cars in garages.

What happens if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off and then stops?

4 beeps and a pause: This means that there is carbon monoxide in the air and you should seek fresh air immediately and call 911. 1 beep every minute: This means that the alarm has low batteries and you should replace them. 3 beeps every minute: This means the alarm has encountered a malfunction and needs replacement.

Should you open windows if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

If your CO detector goes off and you feel ill, leave the house and call 911 or the local fire department. If you do not feel ill, push your detector's reset button. If the alarm goes off again after a few minutes, open the windows, leave the house and call 911 or the local fire department.

How do I shut off the carbon monoxide alarm?

Replace the batteries to silence the “low battery” beep, or press and hold the test/silence button to turn off the high-CO warning alarm. During an alarm, evacuate immediately and call emergency services. Make sure everyone is accounted for and check for CO poisoning symptoms.

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