Three simple words can save lives during a fire: “Close the door!” Bristol Fire Rescue and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office are telling Tennesseans to remember those words during a fire.
“A door can be one of the best pieces of firefighting and life-saving equipment in a home,” said Bristol TN Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Jack Spurgeon. “If you leave a room that is on fire, closing the door behind you can be the best decision you make.”
Closing the door reduces fire growth and spread, limits damage to your home, and could possibly save lives. A closed door can hinders flames and smoke from spreading to other rooms and can help deprive a fire of the oxygen it needs to grow.
“Fires can spread fast,” added Spurgeon and “Closing the door can help control the fire and provide precious seconds needed for you and your loved ones to escape.”
Getting out of a burning building and calling 9-1-1 are crucial to survival during a fire, but closing doors during an escape can potentially save lives and limit the structural damage a fire can cause. For example, if you leave your apartment door open during a fire, you could contribute to the rapid spread of smoke and fire, making it more dangerous for firefighters to fight a fire and more difficult for other occupants to escape.
During a fire, remember close the bedroom door when sleeping, close doors behind you when escaping a room/building that’s on fire. If you are unable to escape a building that is on fire, close all doors between you and the fire. Use towels or sheets to seal the door cracks and cover air vents. Call the fire department to report your exact location.
Keep fire doors closed. These specialized doors are used to compartmentalize a building and prevent the spread of smoke and flames. Never wedge, disable, or prop open fire doors in apartments or other buildings.
Bristol Fire Rescue urges everyone to have working smoke alarms on every level of their home, including one in every bedroom, and to develop a home fire escape plan. The Unites States Fire Administration encourages everyone to reflect upon the slogan of their most recent fire prevention initiative, “Fire Is Everyone’s Fight”. For more tips on keeping your home fire-safe contact Assistant Chief Jack Spurgeon at (423) 989-5701.
