How To Use A Fire Blanket Safely (Home UK)

In this article, we’ll show you how to use a fire blanket quickly and effectively for small fires that may break out in your kitchen unexpectedly.

Having a fire blanket in your kitchen can be extremely beneficial, but simply having a fire blanket and placing it in your kitchen is only half the job.  The most important part is knowing how to use a fire blanket safely and effectively, knowing when or when not to use a fire blanket, and having the confidence to use a fire blanket should it be required.

Below is a table of contents. Clicking on any of these headings will jump you immediately to that piece of content. We are Amazon Associates and earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Best Fire Blanket For Home Use

First, if you haven’t got a fire blanket yet, we recommend the one below. It’s cheap, it’s easy to use and it’s a bestseller on Amazon.

Home Fire Blanket – How To Use One Safely

In this part of the article, I’ll show you how to use a fire blanket safely.

All recommendations are in line with UK national fire service standards.

Using a fire blanket safely and effectively is dependent on the user being calm and collected. Panicking, rushing and acting rashly could result in making things worse, so it’s really important to stay calm, and know exactly what to do.

Here’s a run through on using a fire blanket for a saucepan that cathes fire on the cooker.

1. Turn off heat source by turning off the hob (if safe to so).
2. Grab fire blanket by pulling the two pulley strings, to release fire blanket.
3. Taking the edges of the fire blanket, wrap the fire blanket around your fists (so your arms and hands are protected).
4. Walk up slowly to the fire, and place fire blanket over the fire.
5. If you haven’t already, turn the hob/cooker off.
6. Leave the fire blanket in situ for a minimum of 30 minutes.
7. Do not be tempted to use water.
8. Call 999.

Here is an excellent video from Australia, demonstrating how to use a fire blanket safely and effectively.

When NOT To Use A Fire Blanket?

Only use a fire blanket when the flames are relatively small, and when the fire has not spread anywhere else.

If the flames are too big, or the flames become uncontained, get out, stay out and call 999.

Ultimately it’s your judgement call here – if you think tackling the fire could put you or your family in danger, get out, stay out, and call 999.

How Does A Fire Blanket Work?

A fire blanket works, in part, by taking away one of the three elements required for fire to thrive – placing a blanket over a pan that has caught fire will deprive the fire of oxygen, therefore putting out the fire.

The materials of which a fire blanket is made of also ensure that the blanket itself doesn’t catch fire – fire blankets are usually made of kevlar, glass fibre and have fire retardant chemicals sprayed onto it, meaning that the blanket itself won’t go up in flames.

Summary

A fire blanket is an excellent piece of safety equipment for your kitchen. Fire blankets are cheap to buy, easy to use and can prevent a small chip pan fire from becoming a larger scale fire in your home.

I recommend having a fire blanket located in your kitchen, but only if you are confident and comfortable enough to use one.

Other Articles You May Like

Here’s a list of articles from our website related to home fire safety.

• Home Fire Safety: The Definitive Guide
• Fire Escape Plan – Why You MUST Have One
• Do I Need A Fire Extinguisher For Home?
• Fire Angel Heat Detector For Kitchens – Review

Product Links

Here’s a list of all products mentioned in this article on the best fire blankets for home use. We are Amazon Associates, and earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

• Fire Blanket (Bestseller)

Questions & Comments

Let me know in the comments – do you know how to use a fire blanket? Have you ever been trained on how to use a fire blanket? Have you ever used a fire blanket without knowing how it worked before – if so, how did it turn out?

Whatever your question or comment, just drop it in the comments box below.

Stay Safe. Stay Secure.