Did you used to sleep with the door open? Take the reflection to close it now! This seemingly insignificant little detail can save your life in the event of a fire. According to firefighters, when the bedroom door is closed at night, the chances of survival are greatly increased.
In fact, experts say every second counts: Fires can double in size with every minute. Did you know that half of all fire deaths occur between 11 pm and 7 am, when most people are asleep? The good news: We have a “hack” that can save you some horrible domestic drama. Although it seems hard to believe.
Fire in a kitchen – Source: spm
Why do you have to sleep with the bedroom door closed?
Research from the University of Louisiana Fire Safety Research Institute (FRSI) shows that closing the bedroom door helps prevent fire from spreading to all other rooms. This reduces smoke damage and saves the lives of the occupants. Keeping the bedroom door closed can slow the spread of a home fire, but also reduce toxic smoke levels. Of course, having a fire extinguisher nearby can help. But when it comes to a death by fire, it’s usually not the flames that are to blame, but the smoke that often causes suffocation and then death.
Firefighters putting out the fire in a house – Source: spm
Leaving the door closed creates a “survival temperature”
When a door is closed during a fire, the person in that room experiences, among other things, higher survival temperatures. Temperatures will generally stay below 37 degrees Celsius. Oxygen levels are also higher, hovering around 18%. For comparison, the air in a normal room contains about 20% oxygen.
So when you keep the door closed, you have less toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Certainly during a fire, oxygen levels can drop as much as 8%, making breathing difficult. But with the door to the room where you sleep closed, you’ll have more air to breathe properly until you wake up, or at least until the fire department arrives.
Lighting the candles at home – Source: spm
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Regularly test your smoke detectors
Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against home fires due to their early warning capabilities. These days they are wired into homes to monitor for smoke and carbon monoxide. In addition, they send alerts to your smart devices.
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Make sure all your heat sources are working properly
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that heating equipment is the leading cause of fires in most homes. Unfortunately, some faulty heating sources such as radiators, central heating systems, and fireplaces can cause a fire if neglected or left unchecked.
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Clean your stove and oven
Is your kitchen always clean? However, this does not prevent the sudden outbreak of a fire. In fact, food particles that have collected on the bottom of your stove burners could be to blame. Also, always remember to thoroughly clean buildup in your oven to avoid any potential fire hazard.
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Store flammables in the right place
Be careful with hair products, cosmetics and other household cleaning products classified as flammable products. They all tend to burn when placed too close to a large heat source. Never leave them next to a radiator!
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watch out for candles
Scented candles are commonly used in homes, especially around the holidays. If you do not use them carefully, they could cause fire and smoke damage.
Here are some precautions to take:
- Always blow out candles if you leave a room.
- Blow on them to extinguish them before you fall asleep.
- Place them in a place away from objects that can easily catch fire.
- Never place them on a surface that is not flat or hard, such as a carpet, to prevent them from tipping over at any time.
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Invest in a fire extinguisher
By the way, the fire extinguisher can save lives, which makes it a worthwhile investment. Having something at home can make you feel more secure. In case a fire starts inside your home, this is the most essential weapon to have!
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