Many people across the country sleep with their bedroom doors open — but this could be putting you at greater risk if a fire breaks out during the night. Each year, more than 34,000 house fires break out across the UK, which works out to around one every 15 minutes.
While it’s important for homes to have smoke alarms and fire escapes, Daniel Reid, a fire safety technician working with My Home Improvements has also highlighted the importance of closing your bedroom door at night. Firefighters and other home safety professionals have warned that keeping your door open at night can drastically reduce your chances of surviving a fire. This is because an open door gives smoke, heat and toxic gases a direct route into your bedroom.
Mr Reid explains: “It’s one of the most important and most ignored home safety tips. A closed door slows down the spread of smoke and flames. It can give you the minutes you need to wake up, escape, or wait for help.”
The pros stress that fire can spread shockingly fast, with temperatures in rooms next to the fire reaching over 600°C in just minutes. This is hot enough to melt windows, burn through furniture, and cause fatal injuries.
A closed bedroom door acts as a barrier, buying valuable time, and can keep out smoke, slow down heat and help maintain a breathable environment long enough for you to respond.
If a fire breaks out at night, and your bedroom door is closed, the experts advise: “If you notice smoke outside the room, it’s safer to stay put, seal the gap under the door with a towel or clothing to block smoke, and call for help immediately.
“If you need to leave, always check the door with the back of your hand before opening it. If it feels hot, do not open it. Instead, look for another way out. If you do exit, crawl low under the smoke, as cleaner air stays closer to the floor.”
A spokesperson from My Home Improvements concluded: “Fire safety often comes down to the basics — and closing your bedroom door is one of the easiest, most effective ways to protect your household. Whether it’s installing fire doors, checking alarm systems, or updating old wiring, small changes can make a big difference.”
