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Finding homes without smoke detectors: one step in planning burn prevention programs
R H McKnight1, T W Struttmann, J R Mays
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0084, USA.
The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Many households lack functioning smoke detectors, especially in nonmetropolitan Appalachian areas. This increases burn injury risk. Targeted burn prevention programs are needed for at-risk populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Burn Prevention
Background:
- Residential fires are a primary cause of burn-related fatalities in the U.S.
- Functional smoke detectors are crucial for saving lives during home fires.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics of households lacking functioning smoke detectors in Kentucky.
- To inform burn prevention program planning by targeting at-risk populations.
Main Methods:
- A 1993 telephone survey of 661 Kentucky households was conducted.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine associated factors.
Main Results:
- 16.4% of Kentucky households lacked a functioning smoke detector.
- Nonmetropolitan Appalachian counties had a higher rate (30.5%) of detector absence.
- Key risk factors included living in non-apartments, low income (≤$20,000), being unmarried, living alone, and residing in nonmetropolitan areas.
Conclusions:
- Specific demographic and geographic factors are associated with a lack of functioning smoke detectors.
- Burn prevention programs can use this data to effectively target interventions for vulnerable households.
- Addressing these disparities can reduce residential fire-related deaths and injuries.