Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires: Safe First Response
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Fire Blankets for Electrical Appliance Fires: Safe Use and Limits
Electrical appliances are present in almost every home and workplace. Damaged cables, overheating components, blocked ventilation, faulty chargers and internal electrical defects can cause a small appliance to ignite.
A conventional fire blanket may provide a controlled first response when the fire is small, accessible and fully coverable. The electrical supply should first be isolated whenever this can be done safely.
A fire blanket is not intended for concealed wiring fires, high-voltage equipment, developed lithium-ion battery fires or incidents that have spread beyond the appliance.
Which electrical appliance fires may be coverable?
A fire blanket may be considered for a small fire involving:
- a toaster, coffee machine or other compact kitchen appliance;
- a small household device after the power has been isolated;
- a charger or power supply without a developed battery fire;
- a television, monitor or similar device when flames remain localised; or
- another small appliance that can be covered completely.
The fire must remain confined to the appliance or object. If flames have spread to furniture, cabinets, curtains, walls or wiring, evacuation must take priority.
What Fire Classes Can a Fire Blanket Be Used On? →
Why power isolation matters
Electricity is not a separate formal European fire class. However, energised equipment creates additional risks, including electric shock, arcing and re-ignition.
Before approaching the appliance, isolate the power only when this can be done without touching damaged equipment or moving toward the fire.
Possible safe actions may include:
- switching off the wall socket from a safe position;
- disconnecting the relevant circuit at the distribution board; or
- using an accessible emergency isolation switch.
Do not pull a plug from a damaged socket, touch exposed wiring or reach behind a burning appliance.
If the electrical supply cannot be isolated safely, evacuate and contact the emergency services.
How a fire blanket can help
A fire blanket suppresses flames by covering the burning area and restricting the oxygen supply.
For a suitable small appliance fire, relevant advantages include:
- no discharge of water, foam or powder;
- no pressurised spray that may disturb burning components;
- complete coverage of a small, localised appliance;
- limited contamination of nearby equipment and furnishings; and
- compact storage near an identified fire risk.
The blanket itself should not be treated as electrical personal protective equipment. It does not make exposed live components safe to touch.
How to use a fire blanket on a small appliance fire
Only attempt deployment when the fire is small, fully coverable and safely reachable.
- Raise the alarm and make sure other people move away.
- Keep a clear escape route behind you.
- Isolate the electrical supply where this can be done safely.
- Pull the release tabs firmly downward.
- Hold the blanket so that it protects your hands and upper body.
- Place it carefully over the complete appliance.
- Do not touch, move or carry the appliance.
- Leave the blanket in position until the equipment has cooled fully.
- Replace the blanket after deployment on the fire.
Do not lift the blanket simply to check whether the flames have stopped. Reintroducing oxygen may cause re-ignition.
How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →
When should you not use a fire blanket?
Do not attempt blanket deployment when:
- the fire has spread beyond the appliance;
- wiring inside a wall, ceiling or cabinet is involved;
- the complete burning area cannot be covered;
- smoke, heat or fumes prevent safe access;
- exposed live components are within reach;
- the power cannot be isolated safely;
- the appliance contains a developed lithium-ion battery fire;
- several appliances or ignition sources are involved; or
- the escape route may become blocked.
In these situations, evacuate immediately, close doors behind you where possible and contact the emergency services.
Lithium-ion batteries require particular caution
Many laptops, tablets, phones, power tools and portable appliances contain lithium-ion batteries.
A damaged battery can enter thermal runaway, releasing intense heat, flammable gases and toxic smoke. Cells may rupture or reignite after visible flames have subsided.
Do not:
- pick up or carry a burning or swollen battery-powered device;
- wrap a hot or damaged device tightly in a conventional fire blanket;
- place yourself above a venting battery;
- assume the incident is over when visible flames disappear; or
- remain in an area filling with smoke or vapour.
A conventional household fire blanket is not designed to stop thermal runaway inside battery cells. Move away, warn others and contact the emergency services.
Choosing the correct fire blanket size
1 × 1 m fire blanket
A 1 × 1 m blanket provides practical coverage for many compact household and office appliances, provided the complete burning object fits beneath it.
Typical examples may include:
- small kitchen appliances;
- compact office equipment;
- small household electronics without a developed battery incident; and
- other limited, fully coverable objects.
1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket
The larger version provides additional surface area for wider equipment or locations where clothing-fire preparedness must also be considered.
A larger blanket is not automatically safer. It must remain manageable for the intended users and must not encourage intervention in a fire that has already become too large.
What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need? →
Independently TÜV SÜD Tested
DVM fire blankets are manufactured from densely woven fibreglass fabric of at least 430 g/m².
The DVM 1 × 1 m Fire Blanket Series, including this material specification as part of the complete finished construction, has been independently tested by TÜV SÜD in accordance with EN 1869:2019.
The tested series successfully passed the applicable cooking-oil and heptane fire-performance tests under the controlled conditions documented in the official report.
These results provide product-specific evidence for the tested DVM 1 × 1 m series. They do not mean that a conventional fire blanket is suitable for every electrical, battery or high-voltage incident.
Where should the blanket be installed?
Install the blanket near the identified appliance risk, but not directly above, behind or beside the equipment most likely to catch fire.
Suitable positions may include:
- near the exit from a kitchen or utility room;
- on a visible wall near an office appliance area;
- outside a small technical or laundry room;
- near a workshop doorway; or
- at another position identified by the fire-risk assessment.
The blanket should be reachable without passing the burning appliance or moving through smoke.
Where Should You Keep a Fire Blanket? →
Fire blanket or fire extinguisher?
A fire blanket may be suitable for a small appliance that can be covered completely after power isolation.
An appropriate extinguisher may be preferable when:
- greater operating distance is needed;
- the appliance cannot be covered completely;
- the fire-risk assessment specifies a particular extinguishing agent; or
- trained personnel are expected to respond.
Neither product should be used when intervention would delay evacuation or place the user in danger.
Fire Blanket vs Fire Extinguisher →
Inspection and replacement
DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once every year. Check that the blanket:
- remains visible and accessible;
- has intact packaging and pull tabs;
- has readable operating instructions;
- shows no visible contamination or damage;
- has not been exposed to excessive heat or moisture; and
- has not been deployed or removed without authorisation.
Routine inspection should normally be carried out without fully unfolding the blanket.
Replace the blanket after deployment on an actual fire. Do not wash, repair, clean or refold it for emergency reuse.
Fire Blanket Inspection & Maintenance →
Summary
A conventional fire blanket may provide a controlled first response to a small, localised electrical appliance fire when:
- the power has been safely isolated;
- the fire is confined to the appliance;
- the complete object can be covered;
- no developed lithium-ion battery incident is involved; and
- a clear escape route remains available.
Do not use a fire blanket on concealed wiring, high-voltage equipment, developed battery fires or an incident that has spread beyond the appliance.
Choose a fire blanket for household appliance risks
For many compact domestic and office appliances, the DVM 1 × 1 m fire blanket provides practical coverage. Choose the larger 1.2 × 1.8 m version where wider equipment or clothing-fire preparedness requires additional surface area.
View the home fire blanket guide →