On that note, one that could open in one direction only would let the pet out, but not open inwards. To the extent that this helps though, I'd wonder more about other things that are risky, like flammable furniture foam/curtains. A room and contents fire gets out of hand faster now than they used to, because the old wood furniture and natural materials are much less immediately flammable. Either way, once the heat breaks a window, that room at least will suddenly have lots of air.

I did subscribe to a monitored alarm service specifically for the smoke detectors, on the theory that while I have little need for a burglar alarm here, I would really want the fire department sent if something started while I was out. I'm on my local department, and usually home, but the neighbours wouldn't know quickly if something happened while we're away.

What we bought has several flaps (to help with insulation) and a plastic cover we can put over it at night. The flaps would still be there; I just wanted a "cover" that would come off in an emergency.