UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute Spreads Safety Message ‘Close Before You Doze’ Through Nationwide Contest

18 Sep 2019

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UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) launched a nationwide contest aimed at spreading the Close Before You Doze fire safety message. This public safety campaign encourages everyone to close all the doors in their homes each night before bed as research conducted by UL FSRI shows that in a home fire, a closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames.

Now, UL FSRI is looking for the public's help to share this message via videos that educate viewers on the importance of closing bedroom doors. The creative interpretations of this life-saving message will raise awareness and promote fire safety, and UL FSRI has committed to donating funds to the winners' local fire department, or department of their choosing, to put toward fire safety education.

Winners Will Be Recognized

The contest is open now through August 31, 2019. All qualifying submissions will be published on CloseYourDoor.org/contest, and the public will vote to determine the top eight finalists. The public voting period will run September 3-15, 2019, and a panel of UL representatives will select the top contestants from the eight finalists.

The runner-up and second runner-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively

The winners, who will be announced in October ahead of Fire Prevention Week, will receive a donation in their name to their local fire department, or fire department of their choosing, with a grand prize donation of $25,000. The runner-up and second runner-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, and five additional winners will be recognized with a $5,000 donation and honorable mention.

Video Contest To Inspire

"We want this video contest to inspire passionate, creative minds across the country to develop fresh, innovative and memorable ways to deliver the Close Before You Doze message," said Zoe Susice, director of strategy and marketing at UL FSRI. "We're open to all creative interpretations – if you are a singer, write a song about fire safety and film your performance; if you have graphic design skills, make an animated short; or if you are pet-obsessed, your animal can be the star and tell people to Close Before You Doze."

Brad Tanner, aka Brad the Dad, created a Close Before Your Doze music video which will be released to inspire contest entrants. A member of the fire service community, Tanner took a creative spin on sharing this critical message.

"We were surprised and impressed by Brad's informative, edgy and catchy song," continued Susice. "We're excited to see what others come up with over the course of the contest."

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