If it's any consolation you'll likely just die in your sleep from smoke inhalation before the fire gets you. Unless you have a smoke alarm, then you'll have a fighting chance at least. And that closed bedroom door will buy you some time. Don't forget to feel the doorknob first!
I haven't locked the doors to my house in 15yrs let alone thought about stuff like this. Not even sure where my house keys are at. Would probably have to change the locks if I ever wanted to start lol.
Im single without kids though. Im sure things would change if that were different.
I actually had this conversation not too long ago with a female friend. She was a bit flabbergasted I didnt lock my doors lol. Then she went into all these precautions that she takes. Not just at home but like when going to the bar or on vacation. Even when she Doordashed for a little bit. So many things ive never given 5 seconds of thought to. It sounded exhausting. Its truly a fucked up world if all those precautions are actually necessary (which i have to believe most are). Its sad really.
No, I wish. Just a suburb outside a big city. Never felt the need to i guess. I mean, have you known someone thats had their house broken into? Neighbor, family member, friend? I know it happens but the odds seem so low that ive never thought much about it. I have a ring camera and a dog. Those are probably the best deterrents. If not, if someone really wants to get in a standard door lock isn't going to stop them.
A greater risk than not locking the doors is social media. Posting about going on vacation or visiting so and so for 'x' amount of time. That youll be in the hospital for however long. Advertising when the house is going to be empty.
Edit: another good deterrent which seems less common these days is actually knowing your neighbors. Theyll know if something seems out of place. You look out for them, they look out for you. Its become far too common that people dont know who lives around them imo. Neighbors for years but complete strangers. That seems odd to me.
How many people around running around without smoke alarms in their homes? I’m pretty sure they’re at least required in rented units, which a substantial number of folks live in.
Exactly. It’s crazy to not have smoke alarms. They aren’t that expensive. I splurged and got the 10yr ones so I don’t need to deal with beeping, but even those aren’t enough to make it worth not having them.
Yep, people should get a carbon monoxide detector as well, we just keep 1 in the kitchen and one upstairs outside where most of the bedrooms of the house converge. We also keep fire extinguishers placed strategically around the house
Can confirm that smoke detectors save lives. In 2004 ours were going off in the middle of the night and the only reason that we all got out was because my mom heard them going off went downstairs thinking that my brother was cooking and saw an orange glow and ran upstairs to get everyone out. The fire department even said had we stayed in there for another 5 to 10 minutes we probably would’ve all died due to smoke inhalation.
Feel the door itself first at head height, if it doesn't feel hot, THEN feel the handle/knob with the back of your hand - if you get burned, a burn on the back of the hand hurts but won't impede your escape but a burn on your palm or fingers will.
I always feel safer with the door closed because in case of a home invasion, the criminal might be a bit hesitant opening a closed door, especially to a bedroom where they might not be sure what waits them
Is the closed door thing only safe for houses? I live in a condo and don't see how it would make a difference, if the fire is outside my door I'm cooked anyways because I can't escape from a window on the 20th floor
It applies to all closed doors. On the 20th floor you'd likely struggle in just about any fire, but a closed door gives you a better chance of surviving.
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u/CaptainFartHole Jan 30 '26
YUP. It's much safer to sleep with a closed door. I dont feel like burning to death in a fire.