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Interventions for Preventing Residential Fires in Vulnerable Neighbourhoods and Indigenous Communities: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Author

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  • Samar Al-Hajj

    (Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, The American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
    British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

  • Ediriweera Desapriya

    (British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

  • Colleen Pawliuk

    (British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

  • Len Garis

    (British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada
    School of Culture, Media and Society, The University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8, Canada)

  • Ian Pike

    (British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada
    Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

Abstract

Globally, residential fires constitute a substantial public health problem, causing major fire-related injury morbidity and mortality. This review examined the literature on residential fire prevention interventions relevant to Indigenous communities and assessed their effectiveness on mitigating fire incidents and their associated human and economic burden. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science Core Collection were reviewed for studies on fire prevention interventions published after 1990 and based on the 4E’s of injury prevention approaches (Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Engagement). The grey literature and sources including indigenous organizational websites were also searched for eligible studies. Two authors independently screened, selected, and extracted data, in consultation with experts in the field. Outcomes measured included enhanced safety knowledge and practices, decreased residential fires incidents, reduced fire-related injuries and deaths, and lowered costs for healthcare needs. After removing duplicates, screening titles and abstracts, and assessing full texts, 81 articles were included in this review. Of the included studies, 29.1% implemented educational interventions within a variety of settings, including schools, community centres and homes, and included healthcare professionals and firefighters to raise awareness and the acquisition of fire safety skills. Engineering and environmental modifications were adopted in 20.2% of the studies with increased smoke alarm installations being the leading effective intervention followed by sprinkler inspections. Moreover, engagement of household members in hands-on safety training proved to be effective in enhancing household knowledge, fire safety decisions and practices. More importantly, effective outcomes were obtained when multi-faceted fire safety interventions were adopted, e.g., environmental modification and educational interventions, which together markedly reduced fire incidents and associated injuries. This review reveals the dearth of fire prevention evidence gathered directly within Indigenous communities. Nonetheless, relevant fire prevention recommendations can be made, calling for the adoption of combined and context-sensitive fire prevention interventions tailored to targeted Indigenous and vulnerable communities through multiple approaches and measures. Follow-ups and longitudinal studies are critical for accurate evaluation of the long-term outcomes and impacts on preventing residential fires.

Suggested Citation

  • Samar Al-Hajj & Ediriweera Desapriya & Colleen Pawliuk & Len Garis & Ian Pike, 2022. "Interventions for Preventing Residential Fires in Vulnerable Neighbourhoods and Indigenous Communities: A Systematic Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5434-:d:805532
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schwarz, D.F. & Grisso, J.A. & Miles, C. & Holmes, J.H. & Sutton, R.L., 1993. "An injury prevention program in an urban African-American community," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 83(5), pages 675-680.
    2. Minji Choi & Seulbi Lee & Sungjoo Hwang & Moonseo Park & Hyun-Soo Lee, 2019. "Comparison of Emergency Response Abilities and Evacuation Performance Involving Vulnerable Occupants in Building Fire Situations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Alpert, H.R. & Christiani, D.C. & Orav, E.J. & Dockery, D.W. & Connolly, G.N., 2014. "Effectiveness of the cigarette ignition propensity standard in preventing unintentional residential fires in Massachusetts," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(4), pages 56-61.
    4. Helene Joffe & Gabriela Perez-Fuentes & Henry W. W. Potts & Tiziana Rossetto, 2016. "How to increase earthquake and home fire preparedness: the fix-it intervention," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 84(3), pages 1943-1965, December.
    5. Miller, R.E. & Reisinger, K.S. & Blatter, M.M. & Wucher, F., 1982. "Pediatric counseling and subsequent use of smoke detectors," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 72(4), pages 392-393.
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    Cited by:

    1. Samar Al-Hajj & Larry Thomas & Shelley Morris & Joseph Clare & Charles Jennings & Chris Biantoro & Len Garis & Ian Pike, 2023. "Community Fire Risk Reduction: Longitudinal Assessment for HomeSafe Fire Prevention Program in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-18, July.

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