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

Author: Prof. Chance Hill PhD  |  Last update: Sunday, June 7, 2026

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.

Who do you call when your carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

Install a CO detector:

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.

Why would carbon monoxide alarm go off no reason?

The carbon monoxide alarm going off could mean the gas is present in your home or office, or simply indicating the battery or alarm needs replacing. The deadly gas is a product of partial combustion of carbon-based compounds where there is not enough oxygen to create carbon dioxide (CO2).

Who do you phone if your carbon monoxide detector 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 to Do if Carbon Monoxide Alarm is Going Off

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.

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 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.

What else can trigger a carbon monoxide detector?

Any fuel-burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed. Furnaces, gas ranges or stoves, gas clothes dryers, water heaters, portable fuel-burning space heaters, fireplaces, generators, and wood burning stoves. Vehicles, generators, and other combustion engines running in an attached garage.

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.

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 if fire alarm went off and said warning carbon monoxide?

Immediately evacuate the building to fresh air and safety. Call 9-1-1 once safely outside to report the incident and if there is anyone experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms like headaches, dizziness and vomiting. Do not return into the building until it has been cleared by first responders.

What to do if 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.

Is 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.

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.

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.

Who to call if a carbon monoxide alarm goes 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.

How to clear carbon monoxide from a house?

If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air and turn off all potential sources of CO. That includes your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater, and any vehicle or small engine.

Should I call 911 if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

My carbon monoxide alarm is sounding. What should I do? Call 911 and report what is happening. Immediately leave your residence and wait for the fire department to arrive.

Can a carbon monoxide alarm go off for no reason?

While CO detectors are designed to be reliable, various factors can cause them to beep erroneously. False alarms can be caused by incorrect installation, placement near a source of fumes or steam, or even a buildup of dust and dirt on the sensor.

What other gases can set off a carbon monoxide detector after?

Carbon monoxide alarms are vital pieces of safety equipment used to protect workers and residents from poisonous carbon monoxide gas. But, did you know that hydrogen gas from charging batteries can set off the alarms as well.

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.

Who do you call if you suspect carbon monoxide?

What should I do if I think I have been exposed to CO? Immediately go outside to get fresh air, and right away call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center. If you feel better when you are out of your home and worse when you return, CO may be present. If you notice this, call 911.

How to test a carbon monoxide alarm?

How to test your carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly? To test your carbon monoxide detectors, press and hold the test button on the alarm. The detector will sound 4 beeps, a pause, then 4 beeps for 5-6 seconds. Refer to the user manual for your specific model.

Previous article
What Tide detergent is best for whites?
Next article
What is the hardest paint finish?