Close before you doze
A closed door is one of the simplest, free ways to protect your family from a house fire.
Why a closed door matters
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. Modern furniture, open floor plans and newer building materials mean a fire can fill a house with heat and toxic smoke in just a few minutes, leaving far less time to escape. Research by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) found that a bedroom with its door closed stayed below 100°F during a fire, while a bedroom with its door open passed 1,000°F. Carbon monoxide levels were about 100 times lower behind the closed door. Make it a habit to sleep with your bedroom door closed, and close your children’s doors before you go to bed, since smoke may cut you off from their rooms. If a fire starts, get out if you can and close as many doors behind you as possible. If you’re trapped, keep the door closed and call 911. Don’t open doors or windows to let smoke out, because the extra air feeds the fire.
Video: “See the Dramatic Difference a Door Can Make” from the Fire Safety Research Institute.