All council houses to get gas alarms

The move is expected to cost around 400,000, with an additional cost of roughly 60,000 every year for replacements and repairs.

The council has no obligation to install the detectors, with gas safety instead focused on ensuring supply to the 18,000 council homes is properly checked and maintained.

But while 100 per cent of council homes have a valid gas certificate, officials feel that installing the detectors would provide a worthwhile additional safety measure.

Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless, making it almost impossible to detect without a monitor. Often the first signs of a leak are the symptoms felt by those exposed to the gas.

It is estimated that around 30 deaths occur each year in the UK as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, and while there have been no deaths in council homes in Edinburgh attributed to the deadly gas, there have been a number of tragic cases in the Capital.

In May this year Pauline Childs, 61, died at her home in North Street, Ratho, from what was believed to have been carbon monoxide poisoning.

And in 2006, a 70-year-old and his 79-year-old sister were found dead at their home in Restalrig. It was suspected they had died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their sleep.

Council officials have decided the benefits of the alarms is worth the cost, and it is expected the proposal will be approved by councillors next month.

Mark Turley, director of community services, said: "The installation of detectors will provide our tenants with enhanced peace of mind and the scale of cost to the overall capital investment programme is relatively low."

A spokesman for the Health and safety Executive (HSE) said: "Landlords are under no legal obligation to provide carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in their properties, though the HSE does recommend them. However, they must not be regarded as a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a Gas Safe Registered engineer."