A fire blanket is a safety device constructed from fire-resistant materials, such as woven fiberglass or treated wool, designed for emergency fire suppression. Its primary function is to smother a small fire by physically blocking the supply of oxygen required for combustion. When deployed on a person, the blanket creates an immediate barrier, halting the chemical chain reaction of the fire. Using this tool requires swift, decisive action due to the rapid progression of thermal injury.
Prioritizing Safety and Initial Response
The first consideration when clothing is on fire is determining the victim’s mobility. If the individual is able to move and comprehend instructions, the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique should be initiated immediately. This action helps extinguish the flame by cutting off oxygen and pressing the burning material against a non-flammable surface, often proving the quickest way to suppress flames on a mobile victim.
A fire blanket becomes the necessary intervention if the victim is immobile, disoriented, or if the S-D-R technique proves ineffective. Before approaching the fire, the rescuer must prioritize their own safety to avoid becoming a second casualty. The rescuer should protect their hands by wrapping the top edges of the blanket around them to create a protective shield against the heat.
Securing professional medical assistance is paramount; emergency services should be contacted immediately or delegated to a bystander. This call should be made while the rescuer prepares to use the blanket, ensuring help is en route during suppression. The fire blanket must be fully removed from its container and unfolded before the rescuer approaches the burning person.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Application
Once safety preparations are complete, the rescuer should approach the burning person slowly from a safe distance, holding the fire blanket extended between themselves and the flames. The blanket acts as a thermal shield, protecting the rescuer from intense radiant heat. Maintaining a low profile can also help reduce exposure to rising heat and smoke.
The blanket must be laid over the person, beginning at the head and neck area, and then quickly brought down to cover the rest of the body. Starting at the head immediately blocks flames from reaching the face and respiratory system, which are vulnerable to injury. This rapid, full application is designed to deny the fire the oxygen needed for continued combustion.
The rescuer must then work to seal the edges of the blanket around the victim’s body. This action prevents new air from feeding the flames trapped underneath the material. The goal is to create an oxygen-deprived environment around the burning clothing or material to ensure the fire is starved.
To extinguish any remaining hot spots, the rescuer should gently pat the blanket against the burning areas with a pressing motion. Avoid a beating action, which can fan the flames by pushing air underneath the material, risking a sudden reignition of the fire. The blanket should be wrapped tightly around the person, especially if standing, to ensure the seal is maintained.
The rescuer should systematically work their way down the body, making sure the entire surface area of the fire is suppressed. This wrapping technique also helps to contain the heat and smoke, further aiding the suppression process. Once the flames appear extinguished, the blanket should remain in place.
Removing the blanket too soon risks re-exposure to oxygen, which can cause smoldering materials to reignite. The material should be left covering the person until the blanket feels cool to the touch, confirming that the heat source has dissipated and the risk of re-ignition is eliminated.
Immediate Care Following Fire Suppression
After the fire is suppressed, the priority shifts to medical treatment and maintaining the victim’s stability. Emergency medical services must be confirmed to be en route. The rescuer should provide clear details about the victim’s location and condition to the dispatcher.
The blanket should be removed with caution, and only if it is not adhered to the victim’s skin. If the blanket is stuck to a burned area, it must be left in place to avoid further skin damage and should only be removed by medical professionals. Any burned clothing that is not stuck to the skin should be gently removed.
First aid for the thermal injury involves cooling the burn wound to reduce tissue damage and pain. Use cool, running water to irrigate the burned areas for at least ten minutes. Avoid using ice or extremely cold water, which can cause hypothermia or further tissue injury. Do not apply any ointments, creams, powders, or home remedies to the burn.
These substances can trap heat and interfere with professional medical assessment and treatment. The victim should be monitored closely for signs of shock, such as rapid, shallow breathing, paleness, or faintness. The victim should be kept as calm and still while waiting for professional help to arrive. Maintaining a stable body temperature is important until emergency responders take over care.