Evaluation of fire-safety programs that use 10-year smoke alarms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began funding a Smoke Alarm Installation and Fire Safety Education (SAIFE) program in 1998. This program involves the installation of lithium-powered "10-year" smoke alarms in homes at high risk for fires and injuries. This study aimed to (1) determine among original SAIFE homes if the lithium-powered alarms were still present and functional 8-10 years after installation and (2) understand factors related to smoke alarm presence and functionality. Data on a total of 384 homes and 601 smoke alarms in five states were collected and analyzed. Only one-third of alarms were still functional; 37% of installed alarms were missing; and 30% of alarms were present, but not functioning. Alarms were less likely to be functioning if they were installed in the kitchen and if homes had a different resident at follow-up. Of the 351 alarms that were present and had a battery at the time of the evaluation, only 21% contained lithium-powered batteries. Of these, 78% were still functioning. Programs that install lithium-powered alarms should use units that have sealed-in batteries and "hush" buttons. Additionally, education should be given on smoke alarm maintenance that includes a message that batteries in these alarms should not be replaced. Lithium-powered smoke alarms should last up to 10 years if maintained properly.
Jackson
Mark
M
Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F-62, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. mcj4@cdc.gov
Wilson
Jonathan
J
Akoto
Judith
J
Dixon
Sherry
S
Jacobs
David E
DE
Ballesteros
Michael F
MF
D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005390:Fires; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety; D012906:Smoke; D014481:United States
D012906:Smoke; D008094:Lithium