Description

For sample persons ages 18 and over with one or more working smoke detectors in the home, SMOKALSMOK reports whether the respondent knows the smoke detector works because it went off due to smoke.

Please see drop down menus for related variables.

Comparability

In 1985 and 1990, the wording referred to the detector going off "because of smoke" and offered this response option before "went off while cooking". In 1994, the wording changed so that "went off while cooking" was offered first and this option was specifically described as "went off due to other smoke". See Survey Text tab for detailed wording information.

In 1985 and 1990, this question was asked of all sample adults with 1 smoke detector installed in the home. In 1994, the question was asked of half of sample persons. Changes in sampling frequency may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights.

Universe

Availability

• 1985, 1990, 1994

Weights

• 1985, 1990 : SAMPWEIGHT
• 1994 : SUPP2WT