What do you do if your carbon monoxide detector starts beeping?

If your residential carbon monoxide detector begins sounding its loud four-beep alarm pattern, you must take immediate emergency action to protect your household from toxic poisoning. First, evacuate every human and pet from the house immediately, moving outside into the fresh air. Second, call emergency services, the fire department, or your local utility provider from an outdoor location to report a suspected carbon monoxide leak. Third, never re-enter the home or attempt to locate the source of the gas until emergency personnel arrive, test the indoor air with specialized equipment, and declare the building completely safe. You can troubleshoot emergency response safely by prioritizing evacuation over investigation. You can verify that your corrective action is successful when emergency responders identify the gas source, ventilate the structure, and ensure appliances are repaired before anyone re-occupies the home.