Fire extinguishers are often known as a fire blanket too in the United States. However, both of them have their own respective spots in a fire safety plan. Both of these fire safety tools are used for controlling the spread of fire.
Fire extinguishers are used for fighting small fire situations. For instance, if your office kitchen stove caught fire and it is spreading, an extinguisher will help you control it. A fire extinguisher is basically used to stop the fire, whereas a fire blanket smoothens it and stops it from spreading. There is a thin line difference, but understanding it is important to make sure that one keeps both of these fire safety equipment in their homes, offices and buildings too.
What are fire blankets used for?
Fire blankets basically smoothen the fire and deprive it of oxygen, to stop it from fueling further. It is best for containing fire so that people can be shielded from the flames. However, they are not the best option for fighting a complete fire situation.
Fire blanket acts as a barrier between heat and oxygen, to prevent it from spreading. Commercial fire blankets come with a fiberglass layer to help it achieve the purpose that it has been created for. The fiberglass acts as a shield between the people surrounded by the fire. It doesn’t let fire come in contact with human skin easily.
It is best to have the fire blanket mounted on a wall, within the area where it might be required. All fire blankets come with a cover that sets it apart and makes it visible for use. The cover comes with all the instructions as to how one must use the blanket in an emergency.
Benefits of Fire Blankets:
So are fire blankets useful? Is it crucial to have them in your safety plan? Yes, they can be extremely helpful and here is how!
Firstly, a fire blanket can be used for personal protection. For instance, if a person’s clothing is on fire, wrapping them in the fire blanket will minimize their injury. These are extremely beneficial if the person who catches fire is not able to move fast or has any kind of physical limitation. In this scenario, one cannot use a fire extinguisher near an individual’s face as it can lead to serious lung irritation.
Similarly, if your office kitchen is on fire, or is gradually catching fire, these blankets can help whilst evacuating people out of that specific area. It keeps them secure from the flames and minimizes injury risks. On the other hand, the extinguisher can be used to stop the fire completely while the people are being evacuated safely with the help of a blanket.
Secondly, a fire blanket helps in controlling fire in the initial stage, especially in kitchens. Cooking fire is controllable, if caught on time and treated right away. Thus, owning a fire blanket at home can be a very smart investment. Cooking fires are usually ignited through grease and aren’t too huge. However, if you don’t take any action to control the fire; it will spread. You can try putting a lid on the fire to stop it but it must be done correctly. Thus, having a fire blanket always keeps you on the safer edge.
CONCLUSION
The only downside to fire blankets is that they are meant for one time usage and it is best to not utilize an old blanket at all. However, they are as important as an extinguisher as it offers wonderful personal protection.