Be it for better ventilation, out of habit or so that children and pets can be heard at night: people sleep with the room door open for a variety of reasons. The American Institute for Security Research warns that this behavior can be dangerous in some cases.
Many people sleep at night with the door open. However, the Institute for Security Research (FSRI) in the USA warns against precisely this behavior.
According to a study by security researchers, most people think it’s safer to sleep with the door open. However, exactly the opposite is the case.
More dangerous than you think: sleeping with the door open
In the event of a fire, a closed door can mean the difference between life and death. If access to the bedroom is tight, flames and toxic smoke can spread less quickly. As a result, the oxygen content is maintained and the temperature does not rise as much.
As the security institute reports, in recent years those affected have had an average of just three minutes to escape a house fire. That is significantly less than about ten years ago. The reason for this is the increased use of plastics in house construction, but also in furniture and decorative items. The easily combustible materials ensure that a fire spreads faster. Closing the door is therefore a suitable strategy to protect yourself prophylactically in the event of a possible fire.
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US campaign to attract attention
In the USA, the safety organization launched an advertising campaign together with the fire brigade to draw attention to the dangers and precautions of a potential fire.
Not only your own bedroom should be closed, but also all children’s and guest rooms. Smoke detectors, which trigger an alarm in the event of a fire, also provide additional security. In Germany, the technical devices in apartments and facilities have long been mandatory.
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The article “That’s why you should never sleep with the room door open” first appeared on fitforfun.de and was supplemented by CHIP authors with further information.