Abstract
The purpose of the study was threefold: (1) to identify the main causes of fire injuries to the civilian population of Anchorage; (2) to identify risk factors through a data set drawn from fire department records and newspaper surveillance, and (3) to suggest preventative measures. Methods used included an analysis of cases in ANFRS, newspaper surveillance, and cross-tabulations. The analysis finds that Anchorage census tract analysis did not show a relationship between income and fire injuries, however behavior such as entering the fire area before it has been cleared, inadequate supervision of children, widespread use of space heaters, as well as above average smoking and drinking behaviors were likely to affect fires. The addition of sprinklers, repair of equipment such as hydrants, a public health campaign on children and fire play, smoking cessation efforts and increased warnings on holidays could be helpful.
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the Anchorage Fire Department for its helpful cooperation.
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1.
The relative risk of fire deaths in Alaska was calculated by FEMA by dividing the total number of fire deaths in Alaska by the total population in the state, multiplied by 1,000,000. The crude rate is not age-adjusted. (See U.S. Fire Administration, 2004).
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2.
“Cause of Christmas Eve house fire still unknown” Jeff Richardson, Newsminer.com, Jan. 3, 2014.
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Shai, D. (2017). Residential Fire-Related Injuries and Deaths in Anchorage, Alaska, 2007–2012: Causes and Prevention. In: Swanson, D. (eds) The Frontiers of Applied Demography. Applied Demography Series, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43329-5_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43329-5_4
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