 The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated , " carbon monoxide detectors are as important to home safety as smoke detectors are , " and recommends each home have at least one carbon monoxide detector , and preferably one on each level of the building . These devices , which are relatively inexpensive and widely available , are either <unk> or AC @-@ powered , with or without battery backup . In buildings , carbon monoxide detectors are usually installed around heaters and other equipment . If a relatively high level of carbon monoxide is detected , the device sounds an alarm , giving people the chance to evacuate and ventilate the building . Unlike smoke detectors , carbon monoxide detectors do not need to be placed near ceiling level . 
