Fire Blankets

No, fire blankets are single-use items. Once you've used a fire blanket to tackle a fire, you need to replace it. The heat and flames can damage the fire-resistant coating, making it less effective for future emergencies. Always dispose of used blankets safely and get a new one straight away.

Fire blankets can help tackle small electrical fires, but you must first switch off the power if it's safe to do so. There are many fire extinguishers that can be used for electrical equipment. For larger electrical fires, evacuate the area and call the fire brigade instead.

Get close enough to cover the flames completely, but keep your safety in mind at all times. Approach from the side, never from above, where flames and heat rise. Hold the blanket by its corners to protect your hands and arms. If the fire is too large or intense, don't risk it - get out and call 999.

No, leave the blanket in place for at least 15 minutes. This cooling period stops the fire from reigniting. The material underneath stays hot long after the flames disappear. Lifting the blanket too early can let oxygen back in and restart the fire.

If your fire blankets are used in a business environment, they will need to be serviced annually. The service charge for a blanket is about half that of an extinguisher. The engineer will unpack the fire blanket, check that the blanket has no holes or worn areas and carefully place it back in its box. He/she will also mark the fire blanket box with the servicing date and his initials and state it in his certificate.

A fire blanket should be installed about one or two metres away from the cooker so that you can safely reach it should a fire start on your cooker. Install the fire blanket between the cooker and the kitchen exit, never on the far side of the cooker! It is always best to fix the fire blanket to the wall. Familiarise yourself with the blanket. Remove it from the box, hold it in front of you with your hands being protected by the blanket and walk towards the cooker. Pretend that you are placing the fire blanket over the cooker. Be careful not to get oil stains on the cloth. After practice, carefully fold-up the blanket and store in its box or pouch again.

When tackling a fire in the kitchen, it will usually be on your cooker. Try to turn off the cooker. If fat is burning do not move the pot/pan, as the fire will spread if you drip fat. Pull out the fire blanket from its box or pouch and hold the fire blanket between you and the fire. Protect your hands in the sleeves of the fire blanket. Make sure your fingers are not exposed towards the fire. Place the fire blanket over the pot and move away. Do not lift the fire blanket until the fat is cooled down fully, as the fat might re-ignite if still hot. Throw fire blanket away after use.

A kitchen fire blanket is a fire resistant 'sheet' that can quickly be placed over a small kitchen fire before it gets out of control. Fitting a fire blanket in the kitchen is recommended as it is useful for combating pan fires, clothing fires and waste bin fires. A kitchen fire blanket should be installed approximately one or two metres away from the cooker so you can safely reach it should a fire start. Fire blankets are suitable for use in commercial kitchens or at home. They are cheap to buy, easy to fit and usually last for 7 years before they need replacing (unless they have been used in an emergency). When paired with either a water mist fire extinguisher or a wet chemical fire extinguisher, they provide great fire extinguisher coverage for any kitchen environment.

Fire blankets are designed to remove oxygen, one of three elements in the fire triangle alongside heat and fuel. By smothering a fire completely, the blanket breaks the triangle and causes the fire to self-extinguish.

A fire blanket is a heat-resistant sheet that works by forming a seal over a fire source. It prevents oxygen from reaching the flames, starving them until they go out. The materials used can withstand direct contact with fire without melting or igniting.

Fire blankets are a versatile first-response tool for containing small fires before they spread. They're effective on burning pans, clothing fires and waste-bin fires, and can be used to wrap around a person whose clothes have caught alight. Larger workshop versions handle bigger emergencies.

Fire blankets are typically made from tightly woven fibreglass or treated wool. These non-combustible materials retain their structure at high temperatures, enabling safe, direct contact with flames. Some blankets use multiple layers for added heat resistance and hand protection during deployment.

Fire blankets are most effective on Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, and Class A fires such as burning clothing or waste. They are not suitable for large fires or those involving pressurised gases. For fires of this kind, evacuate the area immediately and call 999.