Fire Blankets

Emergency blankets for fire and more

A fire can occur at almost any time without warning, but fires are more likely to happen in conjunction with an emergency situation. Fire protection blankets are a recommended component of any well-stocked disaster kit.

Fire blankets are specially-made safety blankets which are treated with fire-retardant substances or manufactured from fire-retardant materials such as Kevlar or Mylar. There are two primary uses of fire-retardant blankets:

  • To smother or contain an actual fire
  • To wrap around and over the body during a fire evacuation

Fire blankets are available in a variety of sizes or as a roll of continuous fabric which can be cut to any size or sewn as desired. The material from which these survival blankets are made is rated both by weight and by the temperature it can withstand. For most home emergency situations, a lighter-weight basic blanket will suffice in the event of a fire; the heaviest fire blankets are generally intended for industrial uses.

As with fire extinguishers, many fire blankets are classified by the type of fire they can resist:

  • Class A fires: ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper
  • Class B fires: flammable liquids, such as grease, oil and gasoline
  • Class C fires: electrical fires
  • Class D fires: flammable metals

Some emergency blankets have multiple uses in a disaster, such as a fire-retardant blanket which can also be used for insulation against cold weather. Mylar blankets are an example of a multi-use blanket, since they resist fire and also reflect body heat when wrapped around a person.

To use a fire blanket to smother a small fire, cover the burning material completely while using the fire blanket to shield the hands and face; avoid breathing the smoke as much as possible. Leave the blanket in place to cool for at least 30 minutes. Be sure to turn off any gas supply in the area in the event that the fire reignites.

Why Is a Fire Blanket Important in a Disaster Kit?

  • A fire blanket can be used to extinguish a small fire in an emergency situation.
  • A fire blanket can protect a person when they are evacuating an area due to a fire.

Things to Consider When Buying a Fire Blanket

  • What size fire blanket do I need?
  • What class and rating of fire blanket is best?

Top Brands of Fire Blankets

  • Junkin
  • Kovenex
  • Pyroblanket