SMOKE DETECTORS

&

ALARMS

The use of smoke alarms has had a major impact on decreasing the number of fire deaths in the U.S., decreasing injuries by 80%.

However, smoke detectors remain far from being used routinely in dwellings.

Socio-economic factors associated with the lack of functioning smoke detectors include:

• Living in a non-apartment dwelling.

• An annual income of less than $20,000.
• Being unmarried.
• Living in a non-metropolitan county.
• Home with children younger than 5 years.

Factors associated with the use of functioning smoke detectors include:

• Not living in public housing.

• Higher education (completing high school).
• Mother is over 21 years of age.

Target intervention with a smoke alarm give-away program reduces residential fire injuries.

Smoke detector legislation has been proven to be an effective prevention strategy.

Building codes mandating installation in new homes have been proven to be a practical solution.

Unfortunately, installation and maintenance of smoke alarms in all existing homes will not be accomplished by legislation.