Why You Should Never Sleep With Your Bedroom Door Open, According to Experts

If you’re among the 60% who love the feeling of your bedroom door wide open as you drift off—it’s time for a rethink. It might seem like a question of fresh air or parental vigilance, but according to recent surveys and the American magazine Good Housekeeping, that open door could mean the difference between life and death. Yes, it’s that serious.

Common Habits and the False Sense of Security

Ever found yourself justifying an open bedroom door for one of these reasons?

• Better air circulation
• A greater sense of safety
• The ability to hear what’s going on in the other rooms—especially useful if you have children

If so, you’re in the majority. Letting that door swing free at night is common practice in households all over. But despite popular opinion, changing this habit could be vital, as highlighted by recent investigations.

Close Before You Doze: The Campaign That Could Save Your Life

Enter the straightforward but crucial campaign “Close Before You Doze,” launched by the Firefighter Safety Research Institute. Their message isn’t subtle: close your bedroom door before sleeping, and you could actually save your own life. But why has this suddenly become so important?

Our Modern Homes: More Flammable and Faster Fires

Let’s take a look inside your home—specifically, at your furniture. If it’s modern, it likely contains two or even three times more flammable materials than similar pieces from just a few decades ago. Plastic, in particular, is not just quick to catch fire; it helps flames spread and produces extremely toxic gases while doing so.

According to a September 2018 report from the National Fire Protection Agency, people today are more likely to die in a house fire than in 1980. That’s a terrifying thought, and yet it’s our daily reality. The composition of our furniture and, unfortunately, our interior design choices are to blame.

The Science: How a Closed Door Can Turn the Tide

Closing your bedroom door isn’t just a quaint tradition—it’s science in action. When the door is shut, the supply of oxygen in your bedroom is restricted, slowing the fire’s spread. A closed door gives you a proper barrier, reducing not only the amount of toxic smoke that can get in but also the searing heat.

Let’s put this into numbers:

• With your door open, temperatures can skyrocket up to 500°C (according to the Firefighter Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI)).
• If your door is closed, the temperature can remain at a far more manageable 37°C for a considerable time.
• The closed door also blocks toxic smoke, which can be more deadly than flames themselves.

More time to react means a better chance of safely responding when your smoke detector sounds its alarm. The routine of closing your door every night could literally grant you those precious seconds or minutes you need to escape.

Unfortunately, we have less time than ever before to get out safely. The near-ubiquitous use of plastics in our homes means fires get out of control rapidly. Combine that with open-plan homes—we have fewer rooms and barriers—so fire and smoke can spread even faster. The window to escape a house fire has shrunk from an average of 17 minutes down to just 3 minutes, or less.

It’s Not Just About Fires: Security Benefits

Most people assume sleeping with the door open is safer. But that’s not always true, especially when it comes to burglary. Here’s what some studies say about a break-in:

• The average burglary lasts just 5 minutes.
• The first minute: opening the front door.
• The next 3 minutes: grabbing valuables.
• The last minute: making a quick getaway.

Closed bedroom doors make it far trickier for an intruder to move swiftly from room to room. You’re also much more likely to hear the burglar as they attempt to open a closed door (and even more so if your door is locked).

Last Thought: A Simple Habit, A Life-Saving Difference

So, while an open door may feel comforting as you tuck in—think again. That thin wooden barrier offers protection from both fire and home invasion, turning the tide in emergencies. Building the simple routine of closing your bedroom door at night doesn’t just give peace of mind. It may well be the easiest, most cost-effective way to keep you and your loved ones safe. So tonight, before you doze, close that door. Your future self may thank you.