Citation

Shaw KN, McCormick MC, Kustra SL, Ruddy RM, Casey RD. Am. J. Public Health 1988; 78(6): 650-653.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3369594

PMCID

PMC1350275

Abstract

As part of a smoke detector give-away program, 388 adults were surveyed to characterize smoke detector ownership in a low-income population and to identify those who would acquire a free smoke detector following their child's visit to the hospital. Factors associated with smoke detector ownership included higher education, home ownership (vs public housing), knowledge of the city smoke detector law, and the practice of other injury prevention measures. Regardless of ownership, the great majority of parents (82 per cent) acquired a free smoke detector, but those previously without a smoke detector were more likely to do so. These characteristics of smoke detector usage and acquisition should be considered in targeting future intervention strategies.