Close Before You Doze

6/11/2020 (Permalink)

More than 60% of Americans sleep with their bedroom doors open at night.  This may be out of habit or because they think it is the safer option.  However, according to the Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI), this may not be the best idea.  About half of home fire deaths occur between 11 pm and 7 am.  House fires grow at a rapid pace and the thing standing between life and death may be your bedroom door.  If nothing else, it can also save your home from severe smoke damage. Fires spread more quickly when they have access to oxygen, closing a door can slow the spread and reduce toxic smoke levels.  Oxygen levels inside your bedroom will remain livable and the amount of carbon monoxide will not increase as quickly.  Lastly, if you find yourself with time to escape your home before a fire grows to a considerable size, make sure to close any doors behind you! It may be time to pick up a new nighttime habit and “close before you doze”!