Emergency Preparedness – Always Keep a Fire Blanket Handy

Emergency Preparedness – Always Keep a Fire Blanket Handy

When you look at a fire blanket, it can be hard to believe that this simple-looking cloth can actually extinguish a flame. If you do not know better, you probably would not think that this cloth could be a valuable tool in curbing flames. Whilst fire extinguishers are the more popular fire-fighting tools, fire blankets have the advantage of being simpler and easier in terms of usage and maintenance. Extinguishers require manual steps of operation and annual professional servicing. Fire blankets, on the other hand, can be used simply by putting them over a burning object. There is no need for professional maintenance either.

How the Fire Blanket Works

According to the tetrahedron, a blaze will only thrive if all of these four elements are present: heat, fuel, oxygen, and a chemical chain reaction. When you put a blanket over a flame, you would be able to smother a fire by cutting off its supply of oxygen. When the oxygen is cut off, the blaze would slowly die. This tool is usually utilised in blazes that are not safe to be extinguished by water extinguishers such as electrical and grease flames. In fact, this has become a staple in many home and commercial kitchens all over the UK.

Using and Storing a Fire Blanket

To use the blanket, you must first protect your hands from possible burns by using a pair of flame-resistant gloves or by covering them with the top edges of the blanket. Cover the flames completely. Do not attempt to put out the blaze if it is larger than the blanket. Instead, go call the fire brigade immediately. Allow for 30 minutes to an hour for cooling down before touching the blanket. Store the blanket in an area that can easily be accessible to people. Make sure there is a sign that directs people towards this safety tool. Keep the blanket and the flame-resistant gloves together. Proper storage of the fire blanket is a must. This is to ensure easy access during a fire emergency.

Buying a Fire Blanket

One good option for buying a fire blanket is to purchase it online. The online market is a viable venue for finding great deals on high quality protective devices such as extinguishers, blankets, smoke seals, fire extinguisher signs, and smoke detectors. When buying online, find a reliable store that has a secure system for credit card transaction. Opt to buy from a store that has good reputation and customer feedback. Also, blankets are available in various sizes. See to it that you are getting the right size that would be suitable for your needs. Most importantly, check if it carries the BSi Kitemark and the BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) certification.

A fire safety device does not need to be overly complicated to be effective. Just look at the fire blanket and you would know what this means. In fact, the simpler a safety device is, the better so that people can find it easy to use even during emergencies where most are likely to panic.