Some people close their bedroom door at night to muffle sound, while others shut it to prevent the bogeyman from entering. But whether you’re a light sleeper or superstitious, there are additional safety benefits to closing the door while you snooze. It all has to do with halting the spread of fire and toxic gases,…
An Open-and-Shut Solution
According to FEMA, 51% of fatal fires occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This high rate is largely because many people are asleep during these hours and may not notice a fire until it is already out of control. Even if a smoke detector jolts you awake, it won’t help to stop the spread of fire or smoke. A closed door, however, can.
The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) found that a closed door can create a 900-degree Fahrenheit temperature difference between the inside of a room and a fire blazing outside. For example, if hallway flames reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, a closed door can keep your bedroom at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While still hot, it’s a survivable temperature that allows you to get out of bed and escape through the window.
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A closed door also reduces your risk of smoke inhalation, which can cause serious harm and disorient you before the flames even reach your room. The FSRI notes that during a fire, carbon monoxide levels can be 100 times higher in areas with open doors compared to those that are closed.
While every second counts during a fire, a closed door creates a literal stopgap that buys you the time needed to get your wits about you and plan an escape. And when there isn’t an emergency, it provides you with quiet and privacy.
