UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute Announces National Close Before You Doze Video Contest Winners
10 Fire Departments Will Receive Funds for Fire Safety Education
COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Culminating a nationwide search for the most creative interpretation of a critical life-saving message, UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) announces the winners of the Close Before You Doze video contest. The first-place "Close B4 U Doze" video, created by North Carolina fire departments Greenville Fire/Rescue, Rocky Mount Fire Department and Wilson Fire/Rescue Services, received a $25,000 donation for local fire safety education.
The contest spread the Close Before You Doze fire safety message by asking the public to create original videos reminding people to close their bedroom doors each night to help create a barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames, and potentially save lives during a home fire. The winning video features a catchy, original rap that is engaging and educational, sharing key fire safety measures including closing bedroom doors, how to safely escape a home fire and the importance of a fire escape plan.
"We are humbled to receive this recognition from UL FSRI and the Close Before You Doze contest! Our hope is that the music video will help people better understand the importance of fire safety at home," said Rebekah Thurston, Greenville Fire/Rescue, Life Safety Educator and PIO, speaking on behalf of the three honored departments. "We believe this honor further solidifies the commitment of each of our departments to fire safety and prevention, and we plan to continue that tradition in Eastern North Carolina."
From musical interpretations and creative animations to real-life demonstrations, the contest received dozens of entries which were put to a public vote to determine the top eight winners. A panel of UL FSRI representatives ranked the top videos, and each winning fire department received a donation for use in their fire safety education efforts.
In addition to the first-place winner, the "Close Before You Doze: Small Steps to Safety" video was named runner-up, awarding the Coble Fire Department in Tennessee with a $15,000 donation. The Omaha Fire Department in Nebraska and La Plata Volunteer Fire Department in Maryland tied for third and each received a $10,000 donation for their videos "Omaha Fire Department: Close Before You Doze" and "Flash Max Slams the Door on Home Fires," respectively.
"It's incredible to see these amazing interpretations of the Close Before Your Doze message," said Zoe Susice, director of research amplification at UL FSRI. "We were happy to see three fire departments so inspired that they came together to make their brilliant original song and educational music video to remind people to put the Close Before You Doze message into practice and share it with their community."
Four additional videos received honorable mentions and $5,000 donations to their selected fire departments:
- Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services in Georgia, "CCFES Close Before You Doze" video
- Amarillo Fire Department in Texas, "Close the Door" video
- Countryside Fire Protection District in Illinois, "Countryside Fire" video
- Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department in Iowa, "Tame the Flame" video
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 40 years ago people had 17 minutes to escape their home in the event of a fire. Today, fire spreads faster due to synthetic fabrics in furniture, lighter construction materials, and open floor plans, leaving people with less than three minutes to escape. Research from UL FSRI shows that in a fire, a closed-door room has average temperatures of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit versus more than 1,000 degrees in a room with an open door. A door is also an effective barrier against deadly smoke and carbon monoxide, keeping oxygen levels higher, and if someone cannot escape the room, a closed door helps to buy precious time for help to arrive.
For more information about the Close Before You Doze message and to view all winning videos, please visit CloseYourDoor.org/contest.
About UL FSRI:
UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire research knowledge and develops cutting-edge, practical fire service education aimed at helping firefighters stay safe while more effectively protecting people and property. Guided by a global advisory board comprised of fire service personnel, UL FSRI investigates residential, commercial and industrial fires through full-scale testing, field-testing and modeling to replicate actual fires faced by firefighters. Research results are shared through interactive training courses that have reached hundreds of thousands of firefighters globally. To learn more, visit ULFirefighterSafety.org. Follow UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About UL:
UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more about our nonprofit activities, visit UL.org. To learn more about our business solutions, visit UL.com.
Zoe Susice
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