Is a Fire Blanket a Useful Purchase?

A fire blanket is a specially treated article that can be thrown over an individual who has caught fire. By wrapping a blanket around them, and snuffing out the fire by smacking the f-blanket with an open palmed hand, you can extinguish the fire while keeping your own body away from the flames. With automobile accidents increasing in frequency, many people are now purchasing ones that travel in their cars. This way should they be involved in or witness an accident that entails flames, this tool is handy enough to be put to good use.

It can also be used around the home. Sparks from the fireplace or a spilled ashtray can ignite flames that are readily put out with the use of a it. The use of one of these special blankets can feel awkward at first, as they tend to feel heavier than a regular blanket and the mind has a hard time conceiving that throwing a blanket on flames will not ignite. We are conditioned to believe that fabric of any type should be kept away from fire, and many people find that they hesitate when they throw a blanket on someone or something that is on burning.

Fear is a very real element when dealing with fire safety issues. Not everyone can snap into action when a fire erupts in the throughway, or in the home, and using a fire blanket in real life can be a scary proposition for anyone. When you first purchase one, get familiar with its feel, the weight of it, how you can handle it most effectively, and become used to the idea that this is not an ordinary blanket. This way if you should ever find a need for its use you will not feel as though you are stumbling around. Even after you become familiar with the weight and feel of the blanket, fear can make it more difficult to use it appropriately.

Carrying one in the trunk of your car doesn’t make it as accessible as keeping it in the car’s cabin. During an accident, automobile manufacturers intentionally create crumple zones around the front and rear of the car to help keep the cabin intact. This often means that an accident will restrict access to the trunk. A f-blanket that is kept in a safety box in the car is much more convenient to access and offers faster response time to an emergency. Keeping the blanket in the cabin also allows you to reach it, or instruct others to reach it, in the event that it is your vehicle that is presenting a danger.

While a f-blanket does not rank among the most common of fire safety equipment, they are definitely valuable and resourceful tools to have on hand should there be an event which requires swift, proactive action. Most people purchase one in the hopes that they will never have to use it, but are relieved and grateful that they did when the time has come to put it into action.