| A fire blanket can be a life saving devise used to | | | | blanket: |
| smother a small blaze and put it out. The blanket will | | | | 1. If safe, turn off the heat source causing the fire. |
| not burn, but will cut off the oxygen supply to the | | | | 2. Be sure that the blanket being used is a flame |
| flames, causing the fire to die. They are made from | | | | retardant blanket. A regular household blanket can be |
| thick wool coated in fibreglass or treated with a | | | | very flammable and may cause the fire to grow and |
| flameproof coating. | | | | spread. |
| When to use one? | | | | 3. Be protective of yourself when using one. When |
| Fire blankets are good to have on hand in any home | | | | placing a blanket down, have your sleeves rolled up, |
| or office. They are especially helpful in the kitchen | | | | and use the corners of the blanket to protect your |
| where small blazes are most likely to occur. Storing | | | | hands and arms. |
| one near the stovetop or oven is ideal. They are | | | | 4. Carefully lay the blanket over the source of the |
| meant to be used in smaller fires, or fires that are | | | | fire. No air should be getting to the flames, as the |
| just starting to burn. Grease or electrical fires can be | | | | blanket should cut off all air flow, killing the fire. It is |
| put out with fire blankets, as they cannot be put out | | | | important not to blow any sparks or flames to the |
| with water. If there is any question about the size of | | | | surrounding area when laying down the blanket. |
| a fire and whether to use a fire blanket, the safer | | | | 5. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished |
| thing to do is to get out and call the fire department. | | | | before removing the blanket, and allow the blanket |
| How to use one? | | | | to cool completely before removing. Be sure there is |
| Strict caution and specific instructions are necessary | | | | no smouldering fire beneath the blanket. |
| before using a fire blanket. Here are several things to | | | | 6. Fire blankets are reusable. Just clean and store for |
| know in case of an emergency and before using a | | | | future use. |