International Emergency Nursing
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 47-51, January 2009

Physical environment of the home and adolescent injury risk

  • David C. Schwebel, PhD (Associate Professor, Vice Chair)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd, CH 415, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 205 934 8745; fax: +1 205 975 6110.
    • ,
  • M. Janice Gilliland, PhD (Research Assistant Professor)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
    • ,
  • Jeffrey G. Moore, MEd (Program Manager I)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

Received 8 April 2008; received in revised form 16 July 2008; accepted 17 July 2008.

Abstract 

Objectives

The home environment is one of the most significant contextual factors that contributes to young children’s unintentional injury risk, but there are very limited data concerning risks present in the homes of adolescents. This study was designed to offer descriptive data on aspects of the home physical environment that might contribute to adolescent injury risk in the United States.

Methods

A diverse sample of 42 adolescents ages 14–16 participated. Researchers completed an inspection of the adolescents’ home, searching for various safety-related hazards.

Results

Homes tended to be safe in some domains (e.g., presence of smoke detectors), but had substantial risk in other domains. For example, over 90% of homes were without functioning carbon monoxide detectors; 29% had unlocked firearms present; 21% had exposed electrical cords; and 31% had alcohol present and unlocked.

Conclusions

Although residential environment risks are viewed to be most concerning for very young children, over 30% of fatal adolescent injuries occur in the home. Results suggest there are substantial risks to adolescent safety in the home environment.

Keywords: Home environment, Adolescents, Injury, Safety

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PII: S1755-599X(08)00086-4

doi:10.1016/j.ienj.2008.07.003

International Emergency Nursing
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 47-51, January 2009

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