CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE

 
By Public Information Officer Rick Schartel
October 11, 2026
 

As you all are aware, October 4-10 was Fire Prevention Week. And if you have been following this site, you doubtlessly know that our overriding theme this year has been Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety. But focusing on batteries doesn't mean that we are ignoring other pressing issues in fire safety. We're going to address some other pressing fire safety issues all month.

For example, did you know that merely closing your bedroom door at night can save your life in the event of a fire in your home? The phrase CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE isn't just a cute play on words. A typical wooden residential door can hold back a substantial amount of fire and smoke, and buy you precious minutes of survival, especially when you are sleeping. Research suggests that the difference between a fire and the other side of a closed door could be close 1000 degrees!

Also, it's a good idea to make sure that the doors to your garage and basement are kept closed when not in use, especially at night.

In 2017, our friends at the UL Fire Safety Research Institute conducted a series of fire tests to demonstrate this concept. They were kind enough to prepare the videos in the links below that do a great job of explaining the issue ... because seeing is believing. Don't just take our word for it...please take the time to check them out.

Stay safe.

 
Hyperlinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu5ICj3LwqE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSP03BE74WA