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The "Let's Get Alarmed!" initiative: a smoke alarm giveaway programme
C DiGuiseppi1, S Slater, I Roberts
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London Medical School, UK.
Summary
A large-scale smoke alarm giveaway program successfully reached high-risk households in a deprived London community. The study is evaluating its impact on fire safety and cost-effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Interventions
- Fire Safety Engineering
- Community Health Programs
Background:
- High-risk households often lack functioning smoke alarms, increasing fire-related injury risk.
- Material deprivation and low smoke alarm ownership characterize specific urban areas.
- Targeted interventions are needed to improve fire safety in vulnerable populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reduce fires and related injuries by increasing smoke alarm prevalence in high-risk households.
- To implement and evaluate a large-scale smoke alarm distribution program.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of a community-based fire safety initiative.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted across 40 wards in inner London.
- Free smoke alarms and fire safety information were distributed to targeted households.
- Data collection included household characteristics, alarm ownership, fires, and injuries.
Main Results:
- Over 20,000 smoke alarms were distributed, potentially increasing ownership by 50% in intervention wards.
- Recipients were disproportionately low-income, rental households, and those with young children or elderly individuals.
- Total program costs were documented at 145,087 Pounds.
Conclusions:
- A large-scale smoke alarm giveaway is feasible in deprived, multicultural communities.
- The program effectively targeted high-risk households.
- Ongoing evaluation will determine the program's impact on fire incidence, injuries, and cost-effectiveness.