Fire Blanket

Fire Blanket

Fire alarm goes off – Get the blanket!

Fire blankets are sheets of fabric that are made out of the most fire resistant materials.
Fire blankets are used to cover a small fire and extinguish it by removing the oxygen, which smothers the fire.
Large fire blankets are used in science labs and industries, and special welding blankets are produced.
Fire blankets are most commonly used for clothing or cooking fires, and a person can be wrapped and rolled in a fire blanket if their clothing has caught on fire.
Typically fire blankets are 1.2 x 1.2 m (3.9 x 3.9 feet), 1.2 x 1.8 m (3.9 x 5.9 feet), or 1.8 x 1.8 m (5.9 x 5.9 feet) in size, and the 1.2 x 1.8 metre fire blanket is large enough to wrap around an adult if their clothes have caught on fire.

Fire blankets are easy to use, and generally to use them you pull the tabs, open up the blanket, carefully put it over the fire, turn off the heat source and wait 15 minutes before removing the blanket, as it is likely to be hot and can burn your hands.
Fire blankets are normally thrown out after use.
Fire blankets are usually made out of woven fibreglass or wool, although some fire blankets have a gel layer, which helps protect a person wrapped in the blanket, and keeps them cool.
Fire blankets should be placed away from areas that could catch on fire, such as an oven or stove, and should be easily accessible.
If there is a fire, sometimes it is better to use a fire blanket rather than a fire extinguisher, especially for chemically sensitive equipment, although they are not suitable for electrical fires.