AARP Safe Travels: Pack These Items to Keep You and Your Things Free From Harm

Posted December 20, 2023

Here’s what to look for in a portable CO monitor, according to Charon McNabb of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association and John D’Alessandro of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York:

  • Battery power, in case there’s no convenient outlet.
  • Meets specifications of a reputable testing laboratory such as Underwriter Laboratories Inc.
  • A display that’s always on. Readings should be visible without your having to “wake” the device.
  • A readout that displays parts per million in real time, meaning it shows current levels and not an average over time.
  • A “max button,” which you can press to display the highest reading since you last checked. In the morning, you could see the highest amount you were exposed to overnight. ­

9 Products That Can Help Keep You Safe When Traveling (aarp.org)