Kidde carbon monoxide detectors for home and travel

Carbon monoxide is a gas you can’t see, smell, or taste. It can build up in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces when fuel is burned with an open flame, and in high enough concentrations it affects how your body uses oxygen. While serious incidents are rare – especially with well-installed, good-quality appliances – they’re more likely in spaces with poor airflow. A carbon monoxide detector adds a valuable layer of protection by alerting you to dangerous levels you wouldn’t otherwise detect before its too late.

No, but some quality gas heaters – including Dewhot’s convection gas heaters – are equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) that shuts off the gas if oxygen levels drop too low. However, this isn’t the same as detecting carbon monoxide. Very few appliances actively monitor CO levels in the room. That’s why a separate carbon monoxide detector is the only way to ensure that final layer of safety with an early warning to ventilate or switch off the appliance if CO begins to build up. The Kidde Digital CO Alarm provides a live CO reading and is a great way to track carbon monoxide levels when using a heater.

Yes. Kidde’s battery-powered models are approved for mobile use and are safe to use in RVs.

Yes. Kidde and major safety organisations recommend packing a portable CO alarm when staying in guest lodges, Airbnb rentals, or bush locations using gas.

Most Kidde CO detectors last 5–7 years, with built-in end-of-life warnings and test buttons.

A carbon monoxide detector constantly monitors the air and sounds an alarm if CO levels rise. Dewhot offers two types: a standard carbon monoxide alarm that sounds a loud alert when carbon monoxide is detected, and a digital carbon monoxide alarm that also shows a live CO reading on-screen. Both provide silent, 24/7 protection in the background – and alert you quickly if something’s not right.

We recommend the digital carbon monoxide alarm, especially if you use a gas heater indoors. It offers standard alarm protection plus a live CO reading, helping you monitor ventilation and gauge how your room responds to your appliance.

Always follow the ventilation requirements for your heating appliance

Follow each model’s recommended ventilation steps — they’re crucial for safe operation. The digital display makes it easy to see at a glance whether your air quality is safe.

Yes. Kidde CO detectors are portable – small and easy to pack. An ideal travel companion when staying in holiday homes, Airbnbs or off-grid stays where gas safety may be uncertain.

They’re not legally required in most homes – but they are strongly recommended in enclosed spaces where gas appliances are used, especially heaters or stoves. It’s an extra measure of care, not a mandatory one.

Carbon monoxide (CO) risks come from three main areas:

• poor appliance quality,
• incorrect installation,
• and lack of ventilation.

Low-quality or unapproved heaters — especially those that burn fuel with an open flame indoors — can release CO into the air. Even a quality gas appliance becomes unsafe if installed incorrectly, such as using an outdoor geyser inside or ignoring ventilation requirements.

To reduce the risk:

• Choose good quality appliances with sealed combustion and built-in safety features — like Dewhot convection heaters, which are designed to keep combustion contained and reduce CO exposure.
• Always use a professional installer who understands the ventilation needs of your specific appliance.
• Add a carbon monoxide detector to give you early warning if levels start to rise — especially in enclosed or low-airflow spaces.

This layered approach gives you peace of mind and makes gas heating safer and smarter.