Fire is perhaps the most dangerous element there is. It is unpredictable and difficult to control in the best of times. In the worst of times, its destructive rage can consume everything in a given area. Having means to prevent or put out fires is critical.
Though it might not seem like much, a fire blanket is essential for fire safety. This fire-resistant sheet is perfect for putting out small fires. If you don’t have one in your fire safety repertoire, here are a few things worth knowing to ensure that your fire safety measures are complete.
What is a Fire Blanket and What is it Used for?
If you are unfamiliar with fire blankets, they are rather simple. A fire blanket is perfect for home and business use, a sheet that is made of woven fire-resistant material. The purpose is to smother and extinguish small fires. For the most part, they are made of woven fiberglass.
Fire blankets are ideal for putting out small fires because they smother it and cut off the flow of oxygen. For the most part, they are stored in cases that are mounted to the wall so that they can be accessed quickly and conveniently. Where oils and waste bin fires occur, fire blankets become an essential tool in fire safety.
How to Use a Fire Blanket
While it is good to have a fire blanket on premises, you need to know how to use one. Thankfully, they are quite simple and require minimal training. If you can, turn off the heat source of the fire. This is generally only possible for stove fires in a kitchen setting. Pull down the tapes in order to release the fire blanket from the container.
Take the corners of the blanket and wrap them around your hands to keep them protected. From there, drape the blanket over the fire. Give it a minute or so to let the blanket smother the fire. Do not pat the blanket because the heat can cause burns and other injuries. Eventually, the object should cool down and the fire managed.
Replace After Using
One of the most commonly asked questions related to fire blankets is its usage. Fire blankets are only meant to be single-use tools. Once it has been used to extinguish a fire, it should not be used again. Replace the blanket and container entirely.
You should always visually inspect a new fire blanket for damage or wear and tear. Fire blankets don’t go “bad,” but they should generally be replaced once every seven years or so. There should be specific manufacturer guidelines as to when to replace a fire blanket. It is much the same as having an expired fire extinguisher; you don’t want to use outdated fire safety equipment that may not function as it should.
Where to Put Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are a useful piece of fire safety equipment. Able to be used in any number of settings, it is crucial to place fire blankets in the right area. For kitchen settings, fire blankets should be located in easily identifiable locations and should be there alongside fire extinguishers as an additional precaution.
There are three different sizes to choose from, so consider potential fire hazards when choosing one. The fire blanket must be big enough that it can cover a small fire and smother it entirely. For pans or trays at home, the smallest is fine. For workshops and commercial kitchens, the largest available is the safest option for protecting against fires of different sizes.
