Smell that Smoke?
Not If You’re Asleep
Don’t count on the smell of smoke or gas to alert you in
case of danger. Accordingly to a study from Brown University in
Providence, Rhode Island. Sounds will usually disturb sleep, but scents
will not. During the study participants detected aromas when awake and in
the early stages of sleep. But at deeper sleep no one reacted to the
odors.
The auditory sense, however, does respond during
sleep. Even moderately loud noises aroused the study group every
time.
Why is this true? The study suggests a “significant
altercation of perceptual processing as a function of sleep.” Olfactory
perception, or the sense of smell appears to be practically nonexistent during
sleep.
Many people rely on their sense of smell to awaken them in
the case of fire. The study warns this is not a reliable alarm system,
which is probably why so many lives are lost every year in night time
fires. People continue to sleep while the room fills with smoke or their
mattress goes up in flames around them.
WHY TAKE THE RISK? SMOKE DETECTORS ARE CHEAP,
GENERALLY RELIABLE AND MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE. EVERY HOUSE SHOULD BE
EQUIPPED WITH SEVERAL, ESPECIALLY IN SLEEPING AREAS. THE BATTERY TYPE
SHOLD BE CHECKED ONCE A MONTH AND THE BATTERY CHANGED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR