The Significance of Fire Blankets

A Fire Blanket is a flame-retardant blanket usually found around kitchens, laboratories and industrial buildings. It is used to extinguish small, yet threatening fire. It is generally another type of fire extinguishing device apart from the common cylindrical ones. While those in cylinders may contain powder, water or wet chemicals, a fire blanket is made from two layers of woven glass fibre fabric with a fire-retardant film inside. It works by precluding oxygen (oxygen is one of the three top elements that a fire needs to burn) and smothering the fire.

These fire blankets are essential at home, in restaurants and in buildings where explosion is possible and it is important to know the correct of way of using it in preparation for emergencies. In case of fire, do not panic. Turn off the gas or electricity supply. Remove the fire blanket from its canister. Hold the fire blanket by its fabric straps. Wrap the top edges of the blanket around your arms to prevent burns and then cover the flames with it carefully. A person whose clothes are on fire should be wrapped around a fire blanket. Be careful not to include his head or face as the person may not be able to breathe. If the fire becomes too big to handle, better ask help from a fire brigade.

Remember that due to its simplicity, a fire blanket is a great help for people who do not know how to operate cylindrical fire extinguishers. Thus, every person should learn how to use fire blankets, get acquainted with where they are placed when getting inside hazardous buildings and notice if they are present when cooking in friends’ houses.