6 days ago
This Portable Travel Essential Could Save Your Life. And It Costs Less Than $35.
Focusing too heavily on the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may give people a false sense that they'll know if they're suffering from CO poisoning.
That's because common symptoms of CO poisoning — such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea — resemble the signs of other illnesses, especially those that are easy to come down with while you're traveling. You might think you have food poisoning, the flu, COVID-19, or a migraine, or that you simply had too much to drink. 'If you have a headache, you're not going to call the fire department,' Hauschildt noted.
On top of that, if you've ever gotten sick on vacation, you've probably done exactly what I've done: You've stayed in your room. If you have carbon monoxide poisoning however, this will only make you sicker, and the sicker you get, the less likely you are to get out, since another effect of CO poisoning is disorientation or confusion.
And many carbon-monoxide related deaths happen while a person is sleeping, so some people might experience no symptoms at all.
All of that is to say: A detector may be the only way for you to know if you have CO poisoning. Left: Our portable detector pick (left) is slightly smaller than a standard plug-in detector (right). Right: If you use plug-in detectors (pictured at top) at home, you can also bring them with you on vacation, an especially appealing option if you need to cover an entire rental. Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter
Luckily, CO devices are compact, readily available to buy, and relatively inexpensive. Unlike smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms don't need to be mounted because CO is about the same weight as air; as a result, many residential detectors for sale today are plug-in devices that also have a battery backup. These are totally suitable for travel as long as they conform to the UL 2034 standard, which reflects the latest safety regulations for such devices. Packing your home's plug-in alarms to take on vacation can be especially useful if you'd like to have several for coverage of a larger rental.
But it may be worthwhile to get a dedicated, portable, battery-operated CO alarm that you can store with your travel supplies and that you won't have to remember to pack or return to its original location.
Doug Mahoney, who writes Wirecutter's guide to smoke alarms, suggests the First Alert CO710 Carbon Monoxide Detector, a battery-operated detector that is about the width of two iPhones and weighs less than half a pound. It can slip into the front pocket of a carry-on.
Although we haven't extensively tested CO detectors as their own category, we have tested combination fire alarms and CO detectors, and Doug is confident in this recommendation.
Currently, only two well-established manufacturers of residential smoke alarms, First Alert and Kidde, undergo rigorous third-party testing to confirm that their products comply with UL standards, as indicated by a UL or Intertek mark on the back of the device. 'This certification is a pass/fail test for us,' Doug told me. 'If a company has it, we consider their products. If a company does not have it, we will not consider their products.'
Unfortunately, Kidde's track record with its products is 'disturbing,' according to Doug, owing to a perpetual history of large-scale recalls. That makes First Alert the last one standing. Our portable pick is not much bigger than an iPhone and fits even in the smallest pockets of my travel bags, such as the side pocket of my Fjällräven Kånken and a pocket on my suitcase specifically designed for a phone and a power bank. Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter
We also think First Alert devices are nicely built and easy to use. For travel, the battery-operated CO detector has an advantage over a plug-in model: Not only is it smaller and able to work without occupying a precious outlet, but also, if you're vacationing internationally, you won't have to deal with a travel adapter for it. You can also place it at eye level so that you don't forget to pack it when you leave. Plus, the lithium ion battery should last about 10 years. Just note that because of that battery, you may want to slip the detector into your carry-on or personal item instead of your checked bag. The First Alert detector is blissfully simple (though we always recommend reading the manual). When the air is safe, the display shows the room temperature (left). Running a quick test demonstrates what the alarm sounds like and looks like when activated (right). Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter
Unless the detector is issuing an alert (or you're running a test), the display simply shows the temperature, a pleasant feature I like. It lets you forget about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning while keeping you protected.
If you're in a hotel room, you can just place the detector on a nightstand. If you're renting an entire house, the Environmental Protection Agency advises putting a detector on every floor. (Some sources go further, recommending detectors on every floor and in every bedroom.) Doug also suggests placing one in the basement, though not directly next to a furnace or any fuel-burning appliance, such as a hot water heater, which could cause a false alarm. If you have only one detector, the EPA suggests placing it near sleeping areas and confirming that it's loud enough to wake you.
If your carbon monoxide detector merely chirps, it may be malfunctioning or in need of a new battery. But if it goes off continuously, get outside to fresh air as quickly as possible (or open windows if not) and then call 911.
