The majority of fatal house fire deaths occur at night, when occupants are asleep and unaware that a fire has started. The combination of deep sleep, reduced awareness, and smoke inhalation before waking makes sleeping hours disproportionately dangerous. A specific set of behaviours and preparations dramatically improves survival odds during a nighttime fire.
Why Night Fires Are More Deadly
| Factor | Effect |
|---|
| Deep sleep reduces alertness | Slower response to alarm |
| Smoke rises to ceiling first | May fill rooms before waking occupants |
| Alcohol and medication affect sleep | Further delays waking |
| Darkness impairs orientation | More difficult to locate exits |
| Closed bedroom doors | May slow smoke intrusion (positive) |
The typical fatal nighttime fire scenario: fire starts in another room, smoke accumulates, the occupant is incapacitated by CO/smoke before the alarm wakes them, or the alarm is absent or non-functional.
Before Going to Bed — Nightly Habits
These simple checks, done routinely before sleeping, prevent the majority of nighttime fires:
- Check the kitchen — ensure all hobs are off; unplug the toaster.
- Check for candles — ensure all candles are extinguished.
- Unplug device chargers from fabric surfaces — or move devices to hard, non-flammable surfaces.
- Close internal doors — particularly bedroom doors. A closed door can delay the spread of smoke and fire into a room by 10–20 minutes, providing critical survival time.
- Do not smoke in bed — this is one of the leading causes of fatal house fires.
Smoke Detectors — Placement for Sleeping Areas
Detector placement for maximum effectiveness during sleep:
- At least one detector outside each sleeping area — in the hallway immediately outside bedroom doors.
- On every floor — including the basement.
- Inside each bedroom is additionally recommended for deep sleepers, those with hearing impairment, or anyone who sleeps with the door closed.
A detector in the hallway only may not wake a deeply sleeping person in a closed room. A detector inside the bedroom eliminates this risk.
If the Alarm Sounds at Night
The smoke alarm response must be automatic — every second matters:
- Wake fully — do not dismiss the alarm. If you smell smoke or there is any possibility of fire, treat it as real.
- Roll out of bed and stay low — smoke and toxic gases accumulate at head height first. Stay below the smoke layer.
- Feel the door before opening — use the back of your hand on the door and doorknob. If hot, do not open — fire or intense heat is on the other side.
- If the door is not hot, open slowly — stay low; check the hallway before exiting.
- Get out — do not stop for belongings.
- Close doors behind you — each closed door slows fire spread.
If You Cannot Escape Through the Door
If the hallway is filled with smoke or fire:
- Stay in the room and seal the gap under the door with clothing or bedding.
- Open the window — call for help; signal with a bright item.
- Call emergency services and give your specific location (floor, window side).
- Stay low near the window where air is freshest.
- Do not jump from height unless fire is in the room — wait for fire services if possible.
Children and Sleeping Fire Safety
Children are particularly vulnerable in nighttime fires:
- Ensure children's rooms have working detectors inside the room, not just in the hallway — children sleep deeply.
- Teach children what to do when the alarm sounds — from an early age, this should be automatic.
- Practise nighttime fire drills — in the dark, from sleeping positions.
- Assign an adult to each child in the escape plan for gathering and exiting.
- Pre-establish a meeting point outside — children should know to go there even if separated.
The Closed Door
Research from fire testing shows that a closed bedroom door provides significant fire protection:
- Reduces temperatures inside the room
- Reduces smoke concentration inside the room
- Can buy 10–20 minutes of additional survival time compared to an open door
Close your bedroom door before sleeping. This single habit has saved many lives.
Quick Reference
| Action | When |
|---|
| Check kitchen (hobs off), candles, chargers | Before going to bed — every night |
| Close bedroom door | Before sleeping — every night |
| Don't smoke in bed | Always |
| Alarm sounds | Roll low; check door; get out |
| Door is hot | Seal gap; open window; call services; signal |
| Escape blocked | Stay low at window; call; wait for fire services |
| For children | Detector in room; practise; assigned adult |