Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by David Decker. David Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.
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Fire blankets are nonflammable safety items that can fight temperatures up to 900 °F (482 °C). They smother small fires by not allowing any oxygen in to fuel the flames. Due to its simplicity, a fire blanket may be more helpful for someone who is inexperienced with fire extinguishers. Learn how to use a fire blanket in case of a fire and protect your home or office.
Steps
Remove the fire blanket by pulling down sharply on the tabs hanging from the bottom of the package. Fire blankets are generally stored in small bags with two white tabs hanging down. Pulling on the tabs will quickly release the blanket, allowing for quick access in the event of an emergency.
Protect your hands. You do not want any flame or smoke to hurt your hands. Roll the corners of the blanket over your hands to protect them. You can also use flame retardant gloves if you can get them on time to deal with the situation promptly.Advertisement
Place the blanket over the fire. Once you have the blanket secured over your hands, place it over the flames. Do not throw it, but lay it down gently. Start with the nearside of the flames and move in. Throwing the bottom of the blanket on the far side first can cause flames to creep up over the blanket, worsening the situation.
Turn off any heat source, such as a stove burner. If the flame was started by any heat source, such as an oven, stove burner, or space heater, turn the heat source off. This will decrease the amount of time it takes for the fire to suffocate.- Expect some smoke to run through the blanket. This is normal. It is not a sign the blanket itself is on fire or not working properly.
Leave the blanket in place for at least 15 minutes. Leave the blanket at the heat source until flame is suffocated. This should take about 15 minutes. Do not attempt to move or touch the blanket until it's cool again.
Call the fire department. Call the fire department. If you can't get the fire out yourself, you need emergency assistance. Even if you do get the fire out, you need to contact the fire department to make sure the flame is fully extinguished and there's no chance lingering embers or heat could cause another fire.
Wrap someone whose clothes are burning in the fire blanket. If someone's clothes are on fire, wrap him or her in a fire blanket. Once again, use the edges of the blanket to protect your own hands to prevent getting burned. Roll them in the blanket until it's securely in place.
Have the person stop, drop, and roll. Instruct the person in danger to stop, drop, and roll. This is a classic safety technique used to diminish fire. A person stop moving, drops to the ground, and rolls until the fire suffocates.
Seek medical assistance. Burns caused by fire should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Even if you think the burns look minor, any injury caused by fire should be evaluated by a medical professional. Take the person whose clothes were on fire to the ER immediately.
Make certain the fire blanket is stored in an easily accessible quick-release container. You want to make sure you have quick access to a fire blanket in the event of an emergency. Store it in an easy-to-reach place that you can access without too much trouble.- It's best to store fire blankets in the kitchen, as this is where most home fires break out.
- The sooner you can get to, and use, a fire blanket, the better the chances are of containing the fire.
Dispose of a fire blanket after use. Fire blankets are not designed to be reused. It can be dangerous to use a fire blanket again if it's already been used to fight a fire. Wait until a fire blanket is room temperature to the touch before disposing it. Just to be safe, it might not be a bad idea to douse the fire blanket in water before disposal.
Replace a fire blanket as soon as possible. You should never be without a fire blanket or extinguisher in the event of an emergency. As soon as possible, replace any fire blankets in your home.
Community Q&A
- QuestionWhat types of fire can I use a fire blanket on?
Community AnswerYou can use fire blankets for any kind of fire that you think can be controlled without putting yourself at risk. - QuestionWhere is the best place to keep a fire blanket in my home?
Community AnswerIt should be in the kitchen mounted on a wall. It should be easily accessible, but not too close to the stove, as a flare up may prevent you from accessing it. - QuestionAre fire blankets necessary for a warehouse if I have fire extinguishers?
Community AnswerYes, I suggest having both since they are useful for different purposes.
Tips
- Fire blankets can also be useful around electrical equipment and in garages where oil is stored.Thanks
Warnings
- Check for rips or splits in a fire blanket. If you find any, it's time to replace the blanket.Thanks
Expert Interview
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About This Article
If a fire breaks out, release a fire blanket from its bag by pulling on the two white tabs at the base of the casing. To protect yourself, make sure to roll the corners of the blanket over your hands before placing it on the flames for at least 15 minutes. Alternatively, to use a fire blanket on a person whose clothes are on fire, wrap them in the blanket and have them stop, drop, and roll. However, even if the blanket quickly extinguishes the flames, have the person checked by a medical professional for burn damage. To learn how to properly dispose of a fire blanket, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"I received fire training today, but missed the part on fire blankets so wanted to be sure on how to use them in an emergency situation. Thank you, the pictures and explanations were very clear."..." more
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