It is a common fear many of us share: fire. Whether that fire happens at home or while we are at work or in another location, fire is tragically dangerous. Smoke inhalation, falling debris, being lost in darkness and unable to find an exit and being overcome with toxic gases are all examples of the horrible things that can occur when someone is caught in a fire.
There is good news, however, in the form of a simple act that may save your life: sleeping with your bedroom door closed.
Scott Friedman reports for NBC5 on this new research. We’ve pulled some highlights from the report for you; click the video below to watch the whole thing.
From the video:
Firefighters have long known that a closed door helps keep smoke out, but new research is showing how it also changes the flow of heat and toxic gases in a fire.
According to Underwriters Laboratories Steve Kerber, “If you can’t get out of your house, then the best thing you can possibly do is to get a closed door between you and where the fire is.”
It only takes about 3 minutes for a fire in the lower story of an open floor plan house to fill an upstairs bedroom with smoke – because that bedroom door is open.
The bedroom with a closed door, however, maintains clear air and some visibility.
The closed door also keeps out dangerous heat. While the temperature in a burning hallway can be 600 degrees, the temperature on the other side of a door from the hallway can be as low as 100 degrees.
When the door is opened, however, the room will fill with smoke and the temperature can quickly rise to 150 degrees.
“Even the cheapest, hollow core door may last up to five minutes before fire burns through it. And a solid wood door could last ten minutes or more,” says Scott Friedman.
Watch the video below:
