When checking for heat, how close should your hand be to the door?

When checking for heat on a door, maintaining a distance of about 1/2 inch from the surface is advisable as it allows you to effectively gauge the temperature without putting yourself at unnecessary risk of burns or exposure to flames. This distance helps in preventing immediate injury while still providing a reliable indication of heat behind the door. By placing your hand slightly away from the door, you can sense if heat is radiating, which is a critical safety measure in damage control situations during emergencies. The ability to detect excessive heat at this distance can inform the decision to proceed or take alternative actions, thus prioritizing safety while assessing the situation.

Choosing a distance that is too far might not provide an accurate sense of the door's temperature, while being too close risks injury. Touching the door directly can expose you to the danger of intense heat or flames, making the 1/2 inch distance the most logical and safe choice.