Providing free smoke alarms did not reduce fire related injuries in a deprived multiethnic urban population
QUESTION: Does providing free smoke alarms to a deprived, multiethnic population reduce fires and related injuries?
Design
Cluster randomised {allocation concealed},* blinded {clinicians, data collectors, outcome assessors, and data analysts},* controlled trial with 24 months of follow up.
Setting
2 boroughs in inner London, UK.
Participants
147 444 households in 40 electoral wards with Jarman scores ≥1 standard deviation above the national mean. (The Jarman score is a measure of material deprivation and increased healthcare needs.)
Intervention
Wards were pair matched by Jarman score. 20 wards (73 399 households) were allocated to the intervention, which comprised distribution (door to door and through key local sites) of smoke alarms, with batteries, fittings, and fire safety brochures (in English and other local languages) targeted to households at high risk. Free installation was offered. One year later, postcards were sent to remind recipients to change the smoke alarm …
