In April 2026, Unified Inspection Services conducted home inspections across the Fort Smith metro and eastern Oklahoma market. The finding that appears in our verbal walkthrough every single time it shows up? Missing carbon monoxide detectors. In two of this month’s inspections — one in the Roland, OK area and one in Fort Smith — CO detectors were completely absent. Zero. Nothing near the gas appliances, nothing in the hallway, nothing near the sleeping areas.
What Is Carbon Monoxide, and Why Does It Matter?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels — your gas furnace, water heater, stove, and attached garage can all produce it. When venting systems fail, CO can accumulate without any warning your senses can detect. The CDC reports CO poisoning kills approximately 400 Americans and sends more than 100,000 to emergency rooms each year.
What We Found: Two Homes, Zero Detectors
A Roland, OK area home (April 2026): No CO detectors anywhere in the structure. This home had a furnace and water heater — the water heater was separately found to have an improper installation. Smoke alarms were in the hallway but not inside individual bedrooms, which falls short of current safety standards.
A Fort Smith, AR home (April 2026): No CO detectors present. This home had a gas water heater and separately documented a reversed outlet at the washer — multiple safety layers already compromised, with no CO protection on top of that.
Where CO Detectors Must Be Placed
- Outside each sleeping area, within 10 feet
- On every level of the home, including the basement
- Near fuel-burning appliances
- Near attached garage entry doors
What To Do If Your Report Flags Missing CO Detectors
Don’t minimize it. Request seller installation before closing. Verify placement at final walkthrough. Replace detectors at move-in if older than 7 years. CO detectors cost $25–$60 each — there is no excuse for a home on the market to be missing them.
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Unified Inspection Services, LLC — Protecting Buyers and Homeowners Across Arkansas and Oklahoma | (479) 763-7620