Fire Blankets for Clothing Fires: Safe First Response
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Fire Blankets for Clothing Fires: Safe First Response
Clothing fires are extremely dangerous because flames burn close to the body and can spread rapidly across fabric. Immediate action is essential to reduce the duration of flame contact and the severity of injury.
The first instruction is: stop, drop and roll. A sufficiently large fire blanket may then be used by another person to help smother the flames when this can be done safely.
How clothing fires commonly start
Clothing may catch fire during everyday activities involving:
- open flames while cooking;
- loose sleeves near a hob or burner;
- candles, fireplaces or portable heaters;
- sparks from tools or machinery;
- laboratory or workshop processes; and
- flammable liquids or contaminated clothing.
Running can make the flames burn more intensely by increasing airflow. The person should stop moving, lower themselves to the ground and roll to help smother the fire.
Stop, drop and roll comes first
If a person’s clothing catches fire:
- Stop: do not run.
- Drop: lie down to reduce the risk of flames reaching the face and airway.
- Roll: roll on the ground to help smother the flames.
- Alert others and contact the emergency services.
- Use a suitable fire blanket when another person can apply it safely.
A fire blanket is an additional intervention. Retrieving one should not delay stop, drop and roll or emergency assistance.
How a fire blanket can help
A fire blanket restricts the oxygen reaching the burning clothing. When it is large enough and applied correctly, it can help cover the burning fabric and smother remaining flames.
Relevant advantages include:
- no powder, foam or pressurised discharge;
- no need to direct a spray at the person;
- the ability to cover a large area of burning clothing;
- a barrier between the assisting person and exposed flames; and
- compact storage near an identified clothing-fire risk.
A fire blanket does not guarantee that burns will be prevented. Correct deployment, adequate dimensions and immediate medical treatment remain essential.
How to use a fire blanket on a person
Another person may use the blanket when the incident remains safely accessible.
- Tell the person to stop, drop and roll.
- Raise the alarm and call the emergency services.
- Remove the fire blanket by pulling the release tabs.
- Hold the upper edge so that the blanket also protects your hands.
- Approach carefully without stepping through flames.
- Cover the person from the shoulders downward.
- Wrap the blanket around the burning clothing without covering the face.
- Keep the person on the ground while the flames are smothered.
- Remove the blanket once the flames are extinguished so that burn cooling can begin.
Do not wrap the blanket tightly around the neck, mouth or nose. Keep the person’s face and airway clear.
Do not pull away clothing that has melted or adhered to the skin.
How to Safely Use a Fire Blanket →
Burn first aid after the flames are extinguished
Once the burning has stopped, cool the affected skin with cool running water for at least 20 minutes where possible.
During first aid:
- remove jewellery, watches and loose clothing near the injury;
- leave material that is firmly stuck to the skin in place;
- do not use ice, very cold water, creams, grease or butter;
- keep the person warm while cooling only the affected area;
- cover the cooled burn loosely with cling film or a clean non-fluffy dressing; and
- obtain urgent medical assessment.
Clothing fires can cause serious burns even when the damaged area initially appears limited.
Which fire blanket size is suitable?
Greater body coverage is important when a fire blanket is selected for clothing-fire preparedness.
1.2 × 1.8 m — recommended DVM size
Within the DVM range, the 1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket is the recommended choice for clothing-fire risks. It provides substantially more material for covering the shoulders, torso and legs than the compact 1 × 1 m version.
The larger dimensions help the assisting person smother more of the burning clothing while keeping the face and airway uncovered.
1 × 1 m — limited body coverage
A 1 × 1 m blanket is primarily intended for small, contained fires such as standard pan or appliance fires. It provides limited coverage of an adult body and is not the preferred DVM size when clothing-fire intervention is the principal purpose.
What Size Fire Blanket Do I Need? →
Where are clothing-fire risks particularly relevant?
A larger fire blanket may form part of the safety arrangements in:
- homes and domestic kitchens;
- schools and practical teaching rooms;
- care homes and healthcare facilities;
- laboratories;
- workshops and light industry;
- commercial kitchens;
- hair and beauty environments; and
- workplaces involving flames, heat or sparks.
The blanket should complement appropriate clothing, supervision, staff instruction, alarms, evacuation procedures and burn first-aid arrangements.
Fire class and clothing fires
Most clothing and textile fires involve Class A combustible materials.
A fire blanket may help with a small clothing fire because the burning material can be covered and the oxygen supply restricted. Its suitability depends on:
- adequate dimensions;
- safe access to the person;
- correct deployment;
- keeping the face and airway clear; and
- immediate burn first aid afterwards.
What Fire Classes Can a Fire Blanket Be Used On? →
When should you not attempt blanket deployment?
Do not put yourself at risk attempting to use a fire blanket when:
- the person cannot be reached safely;
- dense smoke or intense heat blocks access;
- the fire has spread to the room, furniture or surrounding materials;
- flammable liquids, gases or reactive chemicals are involved;
- the blanket is too small to cover the burning clothing; or
- personal safety or the escape route is threatened.
In these circumstances, alert the emergency services and follow their instructions. Do not enter a dangerous area to retrieve a blanket.
Storage and readiness
Install the fire blanket in a clearly visible and accessible location near the identified risk, but not where flames could block access.
Suitable locations may include:
- near the exit from a kitchen;
- in a school practical room or laboratory;
- near a workshop doorway;
- at a first-aid or emergency station; or
- in another location identified by the fire-risk assessment.
DVM recommends a documented visual inspection at least once every year. Replace the blanket after deployment on an actual fire.
Fire Blanket Inspection & Maintenance →
Summary
For a clothing fire:
- stop, drop and roll immediately;
- raise the alarm and call the emergency services;
- use a sufficiently large fire blanket when another person can do so safely;
- keep the face and airway uncovered;
- cool burns with cool running water for at least 20 minutes; and
- obtain urgent medical assessment.
Within the DVM range, the 1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket provides the greater body coverage needed where clothing-fire preparedness is an identified risk.
Choose a fire blanket for clothing-fire preparedness
View the clothing-fire blanket guide →