title: Using a cluster randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of intervention of battery and hardwired smoke alarms in New South Wales, Australia: Home fire safety checks pilot program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2014, Fire & Rescue New South Wales piloted the delivery of its home fire safety checks program (HFSC) aimed at engaging and educating targeted top "at risk" groups to prevent and prepare for fire. This pilot study aimed to assess the effectiveness of smoke alarms using a cluster randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey questionnaires were distributed to the households that had participated in the HFSC program (intervention group). A separate survey questionnaire was distributed to the control group that was identified with similar characteristics to the intervention group in the same suburb. To adjust for potential clustering effects, generalized estimation equations with a log link were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariable analyses revealed that battery and hardwired smoking alarm usage increased by 9% and 3% respectively among the intervention group compared to the control group. Females were more likely to install battery smoke alarms than males. Respondents who possessed a certificate or diploma (AOR=1.31, 95% CI 1.00-1.70, P=0.047) and those who were educated up to years 8-12 (AOR=1.32, 95% CI 1.06-1.64, P=0.012) were significantly more likely to install battery smoke alarms than those who completed bachelor degrees. Conversely, holders of a certificate or diploma and people who were educated up to years 8-12 were 31% (AOR=0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.93, P=0.014) and 24% (AOR=0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.95, P=0.015) significantly less likely to install a hardwired smoke alarm compared to those who completed bachelor degrees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study provided evidence of the benefit of the HFSC in New South Wales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fire safety intervention programs, like HFSC, need to be targeted to male adults with lower level of schooling even when they are aware of their risks.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: k.tannous@uws.edu.au.
authors.forename: W Kathy
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Tannous
authors.affiliation: Fire and Rescue New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Whybro
authors.affiliation: Fire and Rescue New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Fire and Rescue New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ollerenshaw
authors.affiliation: Fire and Rescue New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Fire and Rescue New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Broomhall
authors.affiliation: University of Western Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Kingsley E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Agho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011482:Protective Devices; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012449:Safety; D012906:Smoke; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D012906:Smoke
keywords: Cluster randomized controlled trial; Intervention; New South Wales; Public health; Smoke alarm