Academic Journal
Paediatric emergency department-based screening for home fire safety practices and smoke alarm programme awareness in Baltimore, Maryland.
| Τίτλος: | Paediatric emergency department-based screening for home fire safety practices and smoke alarm programme awareness in Baltimore, Maryland. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Christian J; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., Rothschild E; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., McDonald EM; Center for Injury Research and Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.; Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., Shields W; Center for Injury Research and Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.; Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., Hodgman E; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., Solomon BS; Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., Walter C; Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA., Ryan LM; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA lryan17@jhmi.edu.; Center for Injury Research and Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. |
| Πηγή: | Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention [Inj Prev] 2026 Jul 20; Vol. 32 (4), pp. 691-694. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 20. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: BMJ Pub. Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9510056 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1475-5785 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13538047 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Inj Prev Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London : BMJ Pub. Group, c1995- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Fires*/prevention & control , Emergency Service, Hospital*/statistics & numerical data , Accidents, Home*/prevention & control , Accidents, Home*/statistics & numerical data , Protective Devices*/statistics & numerical data , Burns*/prevention & control , Caregivers*/psychology , Caregivers*/education, Baltimore/epidemiology ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Male ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Feasibility Studies ; Infant ; Adult |
| Περίληψη: | Background: Fire-related injuries and deaths are significant public health concerns, with high-risk groups including children under 5 years. Although the use of functioning smoke alarms is an effective prevention strategy, many are not regularly tested. This study aims to establish the feasibility of surveying home fire safety practices and awareness of community resources among caregivers visiting a paediatric emergency department (ED). Methods: This feasibility study surveyed a convenience sample of caregivers accompanying children to an urban mid-Atlantic academic paediatric ED. Caregivers reported on the number, location and status of home smoke alarms, fire safety practices, knowledge of community resources, and interest in using a free smoke alarm programme. Enrolment information for programmes was provided. Telephone and email follow-up was conducted at 1 month to determine programme participation and gather feedback about programme enrolment. Results: Of 166 patients approached, 103 (62%) participated; of these, 40% had children under 5 years residing in the home. Although most participants reported having multiple smoke alarms, only 25% reported testing alarms monthly, and 32% lacked a fire safety plan. About two-thirds (65%) were unaware of community-based smoke alarm programmes, 38% expressed interest in participating, and, of these, 9% reported contact with the programme at follow-up. Discussion and Conclusions: There are opportunities to improve home fire safety practices, awareness of smoke alarm programmes and programme participation in this at-risk population. The paediatric ED may be an important setting to provide fire safety education and directly link caregivers to community resources to reduce fire-related risks. (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.) |
| Competing Interests: | Competing interests: None declared. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Burn; Outreach; Public Health; Screening |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250820 Date Completed: 20260720 Latest Revision: 20260720 |
| Update Code: | 20260721 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/ip-2025-045745 |
| PMID: | 40835427 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1475-5785 |
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| DOI: | 10.1136/ip-2025-045745 |