title: Validity of smoke alarm self-report measures and reasons for over-reporting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many residential fire deaths occur in homes with no or non-functioning smoke alarms (SAs). Self-reported SA coverage is high, but studies have found varying validity for self-report measures. The authors aim to: (1) determine over-reporting of coverage, (2) describe socio-demographic correlates of over-reporting and (3) report reasons for over-reporting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors surveyed 603 households in a large, urban area about fire safety behaviours and then tested all SAs in the home. 23 participants who over-reported their SA coverage were telephoned and asked about why they had misreported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Full coverage was reported in 70% of households but observed in only 41%, with a low positive predictive value (54.2%) for the self-report measure. Most over-reporters assumed alarms were working because they were mounted or did not think a working alarm in a basement or attic was needed to be fully protected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If alarms cannot be tested, researchers or those counselling residents on fire safety should carefully probe self-reported coverage. Our findings support efforts to equip more homes with hard-wired or 10 year lithium battery alarms to reduce the need for user maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 55406, USA. step0310@umn.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stepnitz
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gielen
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety; D057566:Self Report; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult