Clearly: YES and NO.
First of all, what are fire blankets?
Fire blankets are available in different sizes, for private use they are usually 1 x 1 m. The fabric is made of fireproof material such as nylon, Kevlar or glass fiber fabric in accordance with DIN EN 1869.
These blankets are not reusable!
They are usually found in red boxes and also have a red cover. Instructions for use are clearly printed on them.
Although the blankets are suitable for extinguishing small fires, they do not replace fire extinguishers in accordance with the Workplace Directive!
Fire blankets – yes or no?
YES to the fire blanket:
For very small fires or incipient fires, the blanket is perfect to use, for example on upholstered furniture or kitchen appliances, burning containers such as waste baskets.
BUT:
The use of fire blankets for grease fires in the kitchen is now controversial, so DON’T use them. A fire blanket placed over the source of a fire in a pan can sag and catch fire, even though it is actually fireproof.
Therefore, in the event of a fire in the kitchen, immediately:
Switch off the heat source immediately! If the fire is only in the pot or pan, put a suitable lid on it and WAIT! The danger is that if the oil has not cooled down completely, the fat will immediately re-ignite if the lid is opened too soon.
For fires that have spread on the stove, you can also throw a damp kitchen towel over the fire.
Caution: A grease fire must NEVER be extinguished with water.
If water gets on the burning oil, a deflagration will occur. As a result, the flames flare up and the hot oil splashes explosively through the kitchen. This can cause the fire to spread and, even worse, cause severe burns to the skin.
The ideal solution for a grease fire would be to use an extinguishing spray.
So-called extinguishing sprays are a good way of putting out small fires. Although they don’t stand a chance with larger flames, they are easy to use, can be stored in any kitchen and are inexpensive. If a pan, Christmas wreath or hob starts to burn, they can be used effectively.
Here is an interesting overview.
BUT:
If the fire is too big and cannot be brought under control, call the fire department quickly.
Because the most important thing is to get yourself and others to safety so that nobody is harmed.
A second absolute NO for the use of a fire blanket are fires involving people.
The use of fire blankets poses additional dangers for both the rescuer and the person on fire.
This is because the first reflex of a person on fire is to run away and try to extinguish the fire themselves. Out of panic and fear, the victim often resists using the fire blanket.
In addition, burning or glowing pieces of fabric are pressed intensively against the skin when the blanket is applied, causing additional serious burn injuries.
Therefore, in the event of an emergency, the fire extinguisher (regardless of the type of fire extinguisher!) should be used to the rescue. The topic of personal fires is described in another blog article.
