All about carbon monoxide alarms

We take your safety very seriously, and so your new home is fitted with a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. These alarms have a lifespan of up to seven years, after which the unit will need changing because the batteries cannot be replaced.

• If your alarm emits a continuous four chirps and the red light flashes, open all doors and windows.
• If anyone suffers headaches, nausea or any other symptoms that could be associated with exposure to carbon monoxide, seek medical attention immediately.
• Turn off all gas appliances, such as your boiler, gas fire and hob.
• If the alarm continues, leave your home immediately, keeping doors and windows open.
• Don’t go back inside until a qualified professional has confirmed it is safe.
• Don’t use ANY gas appliances again until they’ve been checked by a Gas Safe professional.
• Contact your New Home Customer Care team using the contact box on this page, or the emergency contact details if it’s out of office hours.
• If you’re worried about a gas leak or about carbon monoxide fumes escaping from a gas appliance, call the 24-hour Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.

There are a number of reasons why your alarm may chirp at regular intervals.

• One chirp every minute from the alarm together with a red light flashing indicates that dangerous levels of carbon monoxide were previously detected, but that levels are now safe. Immediately stop using all gas appliances until a professional has checked them. Please use the contact box on this page for more advice.
• Chirps every 30 seconds together with a blue flashing light indicate lower levels of carbon monoxide that could become dangerous. Open all doors and windows immediately, and stop using all gas appliances until a professional has checked them. Again, please contact us for more advice.
• A single chirp once every minute together with a yellow light indicates a fault with the unit, in which case it will need to be replaced.

Your Honeywell XC70 carbon monoxide detector only requires the minimum of maintenance during its lifespan.

• Clean the outside of the case occasionally with a clean tissue.
• Ensure the holes on the front of the unit aren’t blocked with dust or dirt.
• Avoid using some household substances near to the alarm, such as household cleaners, polishes, perfumes or aerosol sprays, nail polish remover, model paint or model glue.
• You can find out more about this particular model on the Honeywell website.