Hot Firefighting Tips Underneath The Fire Blanket

Fire blanket is one of the fire safety equipments that every home and workplace must have. Although fire blankets are not as popular as fire extinguishers; it does not discount the fact that the former is just as effective as the latter in fighting fire. The most common fire safety equipment is the fire extinguisher which can be seen at different locations in a building.

It may be less popular than a fire extinguisher, but fire blankets can put out a special type of fire that an ordinary extinguisher may not be effective against. The chip pan fire is considered as the most common cause of fire-related injuries in the home. As the name suggests, this type of fire is one that occurs in chip pans, a kitchen equipment commonly used for deep-frying. Chip pan fires occurs when the oil or fat in the pan overheats and catches fire.

Chip pan fires make fire blankets special because using fire extinguisher such as water or foam will only exacerbate the fire. Water and foam will spread the oil as well as the fire causing more damage and harm. During a chip pan fire emergency it is advisable to turn the heat source off and throw a fire blanket over the pan. Moreover, fire blankets will also come in handy when a person's clothing catches fire. Wrapping the victim in the blanket and rolling him on the floor will effectively put out the fire.

Fire blankets are usually made of fire retardant material such as:

- Fiberglass

- Wool treated with flame retardant fluid

- Woven asbestos fiber

Necessary precaution should be taken when using old fire blankets that are made of asbestos. Proper disposal is advised because these are hazardous. Fire blankets in the market are now usually made of aramid fibers or fiberglass which make them safer to use. Though less popular than fire extinguisher, fire blankets is one of the simplest and most effective fire fighting equipment. Fire blankets are designed to withstand temperatures as high as 900 degrees centigrade.

The ability of the blanket to cut off the supply of oxygen to a fire makes it an effective fire deterrent. Oxygen is one of the three elements that is necessary to ignite a fire in the absence of which makes it impossible to continue burning. It is necessary that fire blankets are used properly to avoid untoward incident such as accidentally burning part of your hands while using the blanket. It is advisable to wrap your hands in the top edge of the blanket before proceeding to wrap the burning object.

Fire blankets should not be stored right away after using. They should be allowed to cool for at least 30 minutes before they are folded and stored. Likewise, they should be stored in easy to reach places in the house for easy retrieval during fire emergencies. It is advisable to keep several of these equipments around the house. Another quality that makes fire blankets special is that its effective and simple.

After use, fire blankets should be allowed to cool for at least 30 minutes. They require no maintenance or service other than this. A fire blanket is always ready to go and will already have been tested to ensure that it will work for you. Keep several of these devices around your home. They can be folded into a small container, so they take up almost no room in your home. The container quickly releases the blanket for use.

By: Brian Ayling

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Having specialized in the www.essentialfiresafety.co.uk”>fire blankets trade for over 20 years, Brian now works tirelessly to promote affordable fire safety for home and for business.