Final answer:
Carbon monoxide detectors are critical because CO is an undetectable yet lethal gas that can cause poisoning without early warning, contrasting with detectable gases like ammonia or natural gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is more important to have a detector for carbon monoxide (CO) than for other household gases such as ammonia or natural gas because carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas, making it very difficult for people to detect. Exposure to carbon monoxide can be lethal as it interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
Carbon monoxide detectors are crucial for safety as they provide an early warning of CO buildup, alerting individuals to take immediate action to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.