Close Before You Dose

5/10/2019 (Permalink)

The idea that you want to leave your door open when you sleep so you can smell the smoke is a dated and dangerous one. Studies have shown that during sleep, your senses become weak. Olfaction (sense of smell) is reduced the maximum, making it the weakest among all senses. Chances are that the smoke from a fire will reach your room long before the actual flames of the fire. Smoke contains many gasses such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide that reduce the oxygen in the air and cause disorientation. Assuming you have properly placed and working smoke detectors to alert you of the fire, closing the door to your bedroom will keep these harmful gasses at bay long enough for you to make life saving decisions. SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa has seen several occasions where the doors were shut to rooms and they have minimal fire damage while other areas not shut off have extensive.  For more information on home fire safety and smoke alarm installation, please visit redcross.org/sound-the-alarm.