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Gina P. Duchossois, MS, CHES1, Perry Stafford, MD2, Dennis R. Durbin, MD, MSCE3, Vivian Hwang, MD4, and J. Felipe Garcia-Espana, PhD3. (1) Trauma Program, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 1121 E. Chestnut Ave., Jeffersonville, PA 19403, 215-590-5437, duchossois@email.chop.edu, (2) The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Pediatric and Thoracic Surgery, 34th St. & Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, (3) TraumaLink, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, 3535 TraumaLink, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (4) Emergency Department, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th St. & Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Fires are the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among children in the US. Objectives of this study were to determine (1) the impact of a community based fire prevention intervention on fire safety knowledge and behavior in elementary school children; and (2) the effectiveness of home escape planning.
A prospective, quasi-randomized controlled study design was used. Eligible subjects included consented third/fourth grade students from two elementary schools in a poor, urban community. The intervention group received an in-home visit from fire department personnel who installed free lithium smoke alarms and provided a fire escape plan. All participants completed a pre and post survey of their knowledge/behavior.
There were 151 students who participated in the surveys, with 79 students in the intervention group. There was a significant difference in improvement of behavior subscores between control and intervention groups (0.9% v. 12.2%, p=.0004). Sixty-seven households participated in the in-home intervention and follow-up. Before the intervention, 47% of households had an operational smoke alarm. After the intervention, smoke alarms were operational in virtually every home (97%). There was a significant pre to post-intervention increase on the proportion of households that had a written escape plan (8% to 57%; p < 0.001) and on the proportion of those households whose family members practiced a fire escape plan (27% to 65%; p < 0.001). The total home safety score improved 70% (p < 0.001)
This study provides insight on how a fire prevention intervention directed at parents can positively affect elementary school children.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Injury Prevention, Children
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.