Warning over 'silent killer' gas

Carbon monoxide alarms can detect the silent fumes

A week-long campaign has been launched to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The "silent killer" claimed the lives of five people in Scotland last year and made 14 others ill.

Campaigners want to make consumers and doctors more aware of the symptoms caused by the toxic fumes which cannot be seen, smelt or tasted.

Householders are being urged to fit detection alarms and get qualified engineers to check appliances.

Carbon monoxide can be produced when gas, oil, coal or wood is used for heating or to run boilers and cookers.

The Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance said every death caused by the toxin was preventable.

Adele Teece from Lanarkshire is among those backing the campaign to raise awareness.

The 25-year-old and her five-month-old daughter Kayla became ill when fumes from a neighbour's coal fire leaked through into their house.

It could have been a lot worse. We could have gone to our beds and never woken up again Adele Teece, victim

She told the BBC Scotland news website: "I thought there was something wrong for about a year before we actually discovered the leak.

"I felt really tired, had headaches and was fainting quite often. I went to my doctor but he couldn't explain it.

"I was pregnant at the time and decided to buy a carbon monoxide detector as I wanted to make sure the house was safe for a baby.

"The gas engineers came out to check the boiler but found nothing wrong and told me the alarm must be faulty.

"It was very frustrating as it took a long time for them to eventually realise the problem was coming from next door."

Every house

When the gas leak was finally discovered Mrs Teece and her daughter spent a night in hospital on oxygen supplies and had to have blood tests.

She said: "It was very upsetting to have to go through that with a newborn baby.

"But it could have been a lot worse. We could have gone to our beds and never woken up again."

Mrs Teece urged homeowners and landlords to install Carbon Monoxide detectors.

She said: "I think every house should have one."