Estimating the proportion of homes with functioning smoke alarms: a comparison of telephone survey and household survey results.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the proportion of homes with functioning smoke alarms in a low-income area experiencing a high rate of residential fire-related injuries.


METHODS
An on-site survey of households was conducted to confirm the results of a telephone survey.


RESULTS
In the telephone survey, 71% of households reported having functioning smoke alarms. In the household survey, 66% of households reported having functioning alarms; however, when the alarms were tested, the percentage dropped to 49%.


CONCLUSIONS
Telephone surveys may overestimate the presence of functioning smoke alarms in some populations. Thus, the use of telephone surveys to establish baseline measures could significantly affect the evaluation of smoke-alarm giveaway programs.
Douglas
M R
MR
Oklahoma State Department of Health, Injury Prevention Service, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299, USA.
Mallonee
S
S
Istre
G R
GR
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009825:Oklahoma; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone