Buying guide for best fire blankets
Written by Kristin Yarbrough
Updated May 2024
There are some products you buy and hope to never use. A fire blanket is one of them. A fire blanket is a quick, relatively mess-free way to extinguish a fire, and it’s simpler to use than a fire extinguisher. When a fire breaks out, you simply cover it with the heavy blanket to cut off the fire’s supply of oxygen and smother the flames.
House fires may bestarted by cooking equipment, and a fire blanket is an easy way to put out a kitchen fire. Spraying water on a kitchen fire is a very bad idea. It can splash flaming oil around, spreading the fire and putting you at risk of burns. Fire extinguishers are helpful, but they make a huge mess. While a mess is better than a fire, a fire blanket can help you avoid the mess.
You can even use a fire blanket to help you escape from a fire, since most can resist heat to around 1,000°F. Holding the blanket over your body or wrapping it around a child as you flee can protect you from flames and hot debris.
Fire blankets can be used to fight any kind of fire, unlike water, which is hazardous to use with grease or electrical fires.
Key considerations
When shopping for a fire blanket, it’s important to think about where you expect to use it and store it.
Pouch: If you plan to keep a fire blanket under a sink, in a closet, or in an emergency kit, packability is key. Look for a fire blanket that comes in small, brightly colored pouch that is easy to find if and when you need it.
Grommets: If you’re concerned about fire in your kitchen, fireplace, or grilling area, look for a fire blanket you can hang up in the area. Look for fire blankets that come in packages with grommets at the top that allow for easy hanging. Mount the blanket close enough to the heat source that it’s easily accessible but not so close that flames could block your access to it.
Signage: Grommets will do the trick for home use, but commercial operations should consider extra signage or very conspicuous storage to alert employees to the presence of the fire blanket in case of emergency.
Look at the size and design of various blankets to determine their best uses. For instance, Look for small to medium square blankets to extinguish fires of various sizes and rectangular blankets for wrapping around the body.
Some blankets can withstand temperatures above 1,000ºF, which is ideal for preventing fires from spreading.
While these large blankets are appropriate for commercial settings and larger fires, they can be awkward to use.
Foldable designs, compact pouches, and grommets provide convenient storage and quick access.
A pouch with bold colors and recognizable wording is easy to spot, which is valuable when every second counts.
The faster it slides out of the packaging, the faster it’s ready to toss onto a fire.
Material is an important fire blanket feature. Kevlar and fiberglass are the two most popular and effective materials for fire blankets.
Effectiveness and efficiency are crucial elements for in a fire blanket. Research how quickly a blanket can extinguish fires of different sizes.
Instructions for use are important, especially for novice consumers.
Pay attention to the thickness of the fire blanket material, how easy it is to tear, and how likely it is to be reusable once it has been used to suffocate flames.
Fire blanket features
Fire blankets don’t have many features: they are basically blankets made of fiberglass and occasionally Kevlar. It’s the size that makes a fire blanket suitable for a particular situation. It’s tempting to buy the largest blanket possible so you’re ready for anything, but that isn’t necessarily the best idea. You don’t want to struggle to lift an oversize blanket in an emergency. And a very heavy blanket could hamper your escape from a burning building.
Consider the following fire blanket size recommendations as you shop:
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Small blankets measuring roughly 1.0 square meter (about 10.75 square feet) and weighing about a pound can smother a small kitchen fire and combat a small clothing fire.
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Medium blankets that measure about 1.2 square meters (about 15.45 square feet) and weigh about a pound and a half can be used to combat larger kitchen fires and small clothing fires.
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Large: Rectangular blankets measuring about 1.2 by 1.8 meters (about 23.22 square feet) and weighing over two pounds are a good pick for places where clothing fires are likely, such as kitchens or welding shops. The oblong shape makes it easier to wrap around the body.
Fire blankets measuring 1.8 square meters (about 34.8 square feet) and weighing more than three pounds are intended for places like commercial kitchens or workshops. Fire blankets don’t typically come in sizes larger than this. A larger, heavier blanket is more challenging to control, and a poorly placed blanket can be ineffective at cutting off a fire’s oxygen supply.
"Fire blankets are made primarily of fiberglass, so they can irritate skin. Always handle one by the tabs if possible."
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Fire blanket prices
The price of fire blankets is mostly based on size. Prices may vary slightly depending on special treatments or additional heat barriers built into the blanket, but they’re relatively consistent compared to other products.
Small
Fire blankets that measure around 1.0 square meter (about 10.75 square feet) cost between $10 and $15.
Medium
Fire blankets measuring around 1.2 square meters (about 15.45 square feet) typically cost between $15 and $20.
Large
You can expect to pay $20 to $25 for fire blankets measuring about 1.8 meters (about 34.8 square feet) or larger.
Did you know?
A fire blanket is great to have on a boat, which is less accessible to first responders.
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Tips
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Hang your fire blanket in the kitchen. Position it a reasonable distance from the heat source but not so close that flames could prevent you from reaching it.
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Keep the fire blanket on the fire for at least 15 minutes. Allowing this time ensures the flames are fully smothered. Leave the blanket where it is until it’s cool, then you can handle it. It’s normal for some smoke to pass through the blanket.
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Turn off the heat source. If you’re extinguishing a fire on a stove, grill, or microwave, make sure you turn off the heat source.
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Know the fire blanket’s expiration date. Like fire extinguishers, fire blankets can expire. If no date is listed, replace the blanket about seven years after it was made.
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Call the fire department. Even if you’re able to extinguish the fire on your own, call the fire department to verify that the situation is safe and the fire won’t reignite.
- Take a fire blanket on camping trips. Hikers and campers can use fire blankets in areas that have “leave no trace” policies.
A fire blanket is most effective when the fire is still small.
FAQ
Q. How do I place a fire blanket on a fire?
A. The process is simple, but you must stay calm, which is easier said than done. To best extinguish the fire, remove the blanket from the package by its tabs, and hold the tabs as you gently lay the blanket over the fire. Start on the side closest to you and spread it across the fire, front to back. It’s tempting to throw the blanket over the far side of the fire, but it’s not a good idea. The blanket might not land flat, which compromises its ability to smother the fire and puts the blanket at risk of burning.
Q. Can I keep a fire blanket in my kitchen instead of a fire extinguisher?
A. No. The two have different uses. A fire blanket is your first line of defense. If you successfully smother the fire while it’s small, you won’t need to use a fire extinguisher. But if you’re not successful or if the fire is too big, you’ll still need the fire extinguisher. If you only have a fire blanket, you’d be defenseless if it doesn’t fully smother the fire since using water on a kitchen fire is not recommended. It’s a good idea to have both available.
Q. Are there any kinds of fires where I can’t use a fire blanket?
A. No, as long as the temperature of the fire isn’t higher than the blanket’s temperature rating. Fire blankets deprive a fire of oxygen rather than add substances to the fire, so there’s no risk of unexpected chemical reactions. A fire blanket is safe for grease fires, since it won’t splash burning oil. And it doesn’t create pools of moisture that can conduct electricity – the main reason you shouldn’t use water on an electrical fire. Fire blankets are particularly effective at smothering fires when the fires are small and have a relatively low temperature. Most blankets have a temperature limit of around 1,000°F, although it might vary by manufacturer.
Q. Can I reuse a fire blanket?
A. Probably not. Most fire blankets are not reusable. Even a blanket used to smother a small fire will be weaker in the spot where it was exposed to flames, putting you at risk for the fire to spread. Dispose of a used fire blanket as soon as it’s cool. Consider soaking it in water first – you don’t want a hot fire blanket to start another fire!
