Carbon monoxide detectors are becoming more and more prevalent in single family and multi-family residences and they can be a very important and frequently overlooked life safety device that can be added on to any new or existing alarm system. According to the CDC, during a recent five year period CO poisoning was listed as a contributing cause of death on 16,447 death certificates. Of those deaths, some were intentional and some accidental, but either way a carbon monoxide detector may have saved many of those lives. Carbon monoxide detectors have a finite lifespan, requiring replacement every 5 years and many of the newer models have an "end of life" alarm that will indicate to the homeowner and alarm company when it needs replacement. Like many other devices associated with alarm systems, carbon monoxide detectors come in hard wired and wireless versions, making installation very easy.