Along with a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket is a commonly seen piece of fire safety equipment. Fire blankets will cause less mess than an extinguisher and are often the better option if you need to smother a fire to prevent it spreading.
What Is a Fire Blanket?
A fire blanket is a blanket made from fire-retardant or fire-resistant material. If put over a fire, it cuts off the oxygen supply, which smothers the flames and prevents the fire from spreading. They come in different sizes and to work will need to be larger than the area of the flames. Once it is over the fire, it is important not to move it or touch it for at least an hour, as it can remain dangerously hot underneath.
Fire blankets are not suitable for every fire, so it is important to use them as part of a fire safety system, including extinguishers, fire alarms and smoke detectors. If you need help with a fire alarm system, find out about fire safety professionals in your area. For example, if you do an internet search for fire alarms Northamptonshire, you will get results such as https://firealarmsystems.co.uk/.
Three Ways to Use the Fire Blanket
Fire blankets are ideal for use in many kitchen fires, including deep-fat fryer fires. If you can do so safely, first turn off the appliance, then stretch out the blanket so it can cover the whole frame. Put the blanket so it covers the pan and leave it to make sure the fire is completely out.
Clothing fires are another time when a fire blanket can help. If someone’s clothing catches fire, stretch out the blanket, making sure your hands are protected. Then wrap it around the person. You can also encourage them to roll on the floor to make sure all flames are smothered.
If you need to escape a fire, a fire blanket is a useful emergency escape tool. Wrap the blanket around yourself or another to prevent your clothing from catching fire as you walk through the fire-affected area.
