These are fire-resistant sheets of material that you can use to cover a fire to cut its supply of oxygen or wrap around a person whose clothes are on fire.

They are quick to use, easy to maintain and cheaper than fire extinguishers. However, to use them, you need to get close to the fire - meaning your hands will be particularly at risk of burning. You can also only use them on very small and contained fires (like fat-pan fires on the cooker) and it's likely that you will only get one go at putting out the fire. If you don't put it out, you won't be able to retrieve the blanket. Fire blankets work by cutting out oxygen so the fabric's flexibility, thermal coefficient, electrical conductivity and vapour barrier are all taken into consideration with our high quality fire blanket

They're ideal to keep in the kitchen, but they aren't good for general use. If you get one, you should make sure it conforms to British Standard BS 6575 and bear these points in mind:

1. It should be easy to get to in an emergency
2. Never put it away in a cupboard
3. It shouldn't be mounted above a cooker or heater
4. A fire blanket is most useful in the kitchen

Fire Blankets Application
In using a fire blanket, it is important to protect the hands; the picture below shows the correct procedure, in which the blanket is folded around the hands to protect them from the heat whilst it is applied.

Fire Blanket Maintenance
Once used you must dispose of it and replace with a new fire blanket.