Reduction in Fire-Related Admissions to a Large, Regional Burn Center After Prevention and Risk Mitigation...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Injury Prevention
• Urban Health

Background:

• Residential fires disproportionately affect socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, leading to severe burn injuries and fatalities.
• Limited resources in low-income areas impede effective fire risk mitigation despite existing safety standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of community-based fire risk mitigation strategies on fire-related burn admissions in a high-poverty urban area.
• To assess the effectiveness of interventions such as smoke alarm installation, fire safety education, and urban blight reduction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of fire-related burn admissions to a regional burn center in Memphis, Tennessee, over a 5-year period (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2024).
• Analysis of patient demographics, burn characteristics, and clinical outcomes, focusing on incidents within city limits.
• Annual comparison of admission rates before and after the implementation of interventions.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in fire-related burn admissions was observed post-mid-2021 (58% in 2020 to 32.9% in 2023, P = 0.0003).
• The most substantial decline in injury rates occurred in ZIP codes with poverty rates exceeding 30%.
• No significant changes in patient demographics or injury severity were noted concurrently with the reduction in admissions.

Conclusions:

• Community-based fire prevention initiatives are effective in significantly reducing fire-related injuries in high-poverty urban areas.
• Targeted, low-cost interventions demonstrate substantial impact on vulnerable populations.
• Continued investment in fire safety education and infrastructure is crucial for socioeconomically vulnerable communities.