LONG LAKE, Minn. — Fires are spreading faster. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 40 years ago, people had about 17 minutes to escape a fire. Now, it's about three minutes, and that's mostly because of the synthetic materials in homes these days.
During this Fire Prevention Month, the Long Lake Fire Department is addressing an important message to people, asking them to close their bedroom doors before they go to bed at night. The national campaign is called "Close Before You Doze."
Closing your door makes a 900 degree difference in a fire, according to the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute, and gives people more time to escape.
In February, the Long Lake Fire Department responded to a house fire. These photos from the aftermath show charred hallways, but bedrooms that are largely untouched because the doors were closed.
Click here to take the 'Close Before You Doze' pledge.
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