A fire blanket extinguishes fire by cutting off oxygen supply. Since fire needs oxygen to burn – along with heat and fuel – it quickly goes off.
Fire blankets are effective at putting out small fires such as those that start in the kitchen. You can also wrap it around someone who is on fire.
These blankets are made from special fire retardant materials such as fiberglass that can resist flames and very high temperatures (usually up to 500 degrees Celsius).
In this buying guide, we review the five best fire blankets for use in homes, RVs, boats and other places.
But first, here’s how to make sure you buy a good quality fire blanket. Your life may depend on it.
What to consider when choosing a Fire Blanket
a) Certification
When it comes to safety equipment like fire blankets, cheaper sub-standard substitutes are not worth the risk.
A faulty fire blanket will not effectively put out a fire and can in fact accelerate it.
Only buy a fire blanket with the Kitemark certification. It should also carry the BS EN 1869:1997 standard.
This guarantees that the blanket has been tested for safety and effectiveness.
Look out for fire blankets from unknown manufacturers, with vague descriptions and misspellings and fake certifications and standards.
b) Size
The smallest fire blanket you can get is 1m by 1m. It’s large enough to put out a standard stove or bin fire.
It can also extinguish fire on a body part.
If you want a fire blanket large enough to wrap around an adult or to put out a larger fire, there are some larger sizes available including 1.2 x 1.2m, 1.2 x 1.8m and 1.8 x 1.8m.
Remember that a larger fire blanket is going to cost more.
c) Versatility
Some fire blankets can also be used for other applications such as welding, heat protection and emergency survival.
Such blankets are typically thicker and heavier than typical fire blankets. They are also more expensive.
How to use a Fire Blanket
First, make sure you store the blanket where you can easily and quickly access it such as in a drawer or hanging over the kitchen counter.
Some fire blankets come with hooks or holes for easy hanging.
If a fire starts, grab the blanket and pull the quick release tabs. This should unfurl the blanket to its full size.
Hold the edges of the blanket and lay it across the top of the fire, making sure it’s completely covered to cut off all oxygen.
Note that if it is a pan fire, you should first turn off the stove before using the fire blanket.
Do not remove the blanket even after the fire has gone off as it can re-ignite. Wait until the oil and pan have cooled.
After a fire incident, discard the fire blanket and buy a new one. You should also replace an unused fire blanket after several years. Check the manufacturer instructions for the specific replacement period.
The Best Fire Blankets Reviews
1. A2Z Fire Safety 1mx1m Fire Blanket
The A2Z Fire Safety blanket is made from woven glass fibre that smoothers a fire by forming an airtight seal that keeps out oxygen.
It is Kitemarked and has all the requisite certifications so you can be sure it’ll work if the need ever arises.
It is ideal for most small home fires including oil and fat fires, clothing fires and bin fires. The release tabs deploy the 1m by 1m blanket in seconds.
The fiberglass material not only shields you from the flames, it also protects your hands from the heat.
The blanket comes packed in a soft case that you can store in a drawer or hang on the wall using the grommet at the top.
If the case gets dirty, you can wipe it with a moist cloth.
The blanket comes with a five-year guarantee. After this period, it’s a good idea to get a new fire blanket.
What we like about it:
- Integrated grommet for wall hanging.
- Easy and quick to deploy in case of a fire.
- Kitemarked and certified to major safety standards.
- Inexpensive.
2. FireAngel FB100-AE-UK AngelEye Fire Blanket, 1 x 1 m
This is another good choice if you are looking for an inexpensive fire blanket.
It measures 1m by 1m, large enough for most kitchen and bin fires. It’s also large enough to help someone whose clothes are on fire.
The blanket features a tight woven design that suffocates the fire to deny it the oxygen it needs to burn.
Standard release tabs quickly unfurl the blanket, allowing for fast deployment.
The fire blanket comes in a plastic container that you can easily wipe to keep clean.
What we like about it:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy and quick to deploy.
- Kitemarked for safety assurance.
3. 1.8m x 1.2m Hard Case Fire Blanket
If you want something bigger, we recommend this 1.8m by 1.2m fire blanket. The oblong design makes it easy to wrap around an adult to put out a fire.
You can also use it to put out a larger kitchen or garage fire. The woven fibreglass material is highly effective at suffocating fires.
The blanket is Kitemarked and carries BS, EN3 & CE certifications. It also comes with a five-year warranty.
Despite its larger size, the blanket only weighs 200g. So you should have no trouble handling it in case of a fire.
It comes in a hard case that you can hang up the wall for easy and quick access in case of a fire. If the case gets a bit dusty after some time, it’s easy to wipe clean.
What we like about it:
- Large size. It is ideal for putting out a fire on someone. Also ideal for larger fires.
- Also comes with several certifications.
- 5-year warranty.
- Easy to clean hard case.
4. Tonyko Heavy Duty Fiberglass Protective Blanket
This is the most expensive fire blanket among our picks.
One thing you’ll notice is that the Tonyko fire blanket is much thicker and heavier than other fire blankets. That’s because it’s not just a fire blanket.
You can also use it as welding blanket to keep out sparks and prevent accidental fires.
If you do a lot of welding work – or any work involving heat or fire – in your garage or workshop, you can use this blanket to protect other items such as your car or the floor.
The manufacturer also says it can be used as an emergency survival blanket.
In the kitchen, the 1.8m by 1.8m blanket can put out larger pan fires.
Despite its size and weight, the blanket is still flexible and easy to handle. You can easily use it on uneven surfaces.
What we like about it:
- Versatile.
- Heavy duty construction that can withstand flames and temperatures up to 580℃.
- Large.
5. Kidde FB1 Fire Blanket, 1.1m x 1.1m
Slightly larger than the usual 1m fir blankets, the Kidde FB1 blanket is perfect for kitchen, bin and clothes fires.
It comes with BS and BAFE certification and is Kitemarked. It also has a 5-year guarantee.
It weighs 600g. That’s a bit heavier than usual but still light enough for anyone to handle.
The blanket can be wall mounted for easy and quick access in the kitchen, garage or any other room. You can also hang it in your RV or boat.
What we like about it:
- Larger than standard fire blankets.
- Kitemarked and certified.
- Lightweight.
