Which statement best describes smoke and CO detector placement in homes?

• A. Smoke detectors on every level and outside sleeping areas (with interconnection where possible); CO detectors outside sleeping areas and on each level.
• B. CO detectors on every level and inside sleeping areas; smoke detectors only in living rooms.
• C. Smoke detectors only in bedrooms; CO detectors only near fuel-burning appliances.
• D. Smoke detectors on ceilings only; CO detectors in closets.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is to place detectors where they will give the earliest warning when occupants are most likely to be unaware—while sleeping for smoke and near common sources of carbon monoxide. This statement emphasizes smoke detectors in bedrooms so the alarm can wake someone if smoke is present during sleep, and it places CO detectors near fuel-burning appliances, where CO is most likely to be produced and detected quickly. That focus on critical, high-risk zones—sleeping areas for smoke detection and CO source areas for CO detection—helps ensure timely alerts in real-world scenarios. The other choices either spread detectors in ways that don’t prioritize sleeping-area alerts or place detectors in unsuitable locations, such as closets, or omit important areas altogether.