A closed bedroom door is safer in a fire

By mbrooks on July 29, 2019
FILE – A Cal Fire firefighter monitors a burning home as the Camp Fire moves through the area on November 9, 2018 in Magalia, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

By Matthew Brooks

Provo City’s fire departments wants you to know that you will sleep more safely with your bedroom door closed.

The fire department shared five reasons why sleeping with the bedroom door is better.

1. Stop a fire from growing and spreading.
2. Help keep smoke and heat out.
3. Help keep your home (and stuff) safe.
4. Keep the temperature down.
5. Save your life.

A Texas fire department determined that a fire can cause the heat outside a bedroom door to reach 600 F. With the bedroom door closed the heat inside the bedroom reaches only 100 F. The heat in the bedroom is hot but survivable.

A fire department in Tennessee says a fire will burn through a bedroom door in 10-15 minutes. The ten-minute window is enough time for the smoke alarm to wake you up and for you to get out of the house.

A wet cloth under the door will help slow the movement of smoke into the bedroom.

More safety tips are available on closeyourdoor.org.

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