Promoting Fire Safety

Home fires are a significant public health issue, affecting approximately 380,000 households each year and resulting in over 2700 deaths and 11,000 injuries. Smoke alarms are proven to save lives, and research has shown programs that offer home inspection, smoke alarm installations, and resident education increase the number of homes with working smoke alarms. Our Center works with fire departments and community organizations across the U.S. to help implement and evaluate fire safety programs that are data-driven and evidence-based. 

Center faculty offer technical assistance to fire departments and organizations wishing to implement evidence-based smoke alarm programs by reviewing information about the target community, working with partners to identify priority populations, outlining evidence-based promotion opportunities and recommending measures for evaluation. For an example of our recent work, check out this article led by Elise Omaki and co-authors.