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A fire blanket is a safety device made of fire-resistant materials, used to extinguish small fires. It works by cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire, smothering it so that it cannot keep burning.
The difference between a fire extinguisher versus a fire blanket would be the usage - how and when to use. A fire extinguisher is a spray that is used for larger fires that are spreading quickly, it also requires some level of skills and training to use it properly. A fire blanket is usually used for putting out small fires such as kitchen pan fires or if someone’s clothes catch fire. Compared to a fire extinguisher, the aftermath of a fire blanket is also more manageable as you don’t have to clean up the residue from the extinguisher spray.
As it is simple to use and effective in controlling small fires, a fire blanket is suitable for keeping at home in case of fire emergencies. Things to look out for when buying a fire blanket include:
1. Safety Certification
Look for EN 1869:1997 or 2019 (British/European Standard) or fire blankets that have undergone proper testing. Avoid purchasing non-certified blankets as such blankets may have compromised quality that melt or fail under heat.
2. Size
Fire blankets typically come in these standard sizes.
- 1m x 1m: Good for small fires or personal use.
- 1.2m x 1.2m: Standard size for kitchens.
- 1.8m x 1.2m: Best for a larger stove or vehicles.
3. Material
Choose woven fiberglass for strong heat resistance of up to 550°C or more. Avoid polyester or glass fiber-coated materials that are not truly fireproof.
4. Packaging and storage
The packaging should come in a quick-release pouch that is easy to deploy, whether in a soft pouch or hard case. Some packaging has a ring hole for you to mount on the wall or cabinet so that you can access and pull the blanket out fast in emergencies.
5. Usage and instructions
The fire blanket should come with clear and easy to understand instructions that include clear pictograms, step-by-step usage guide or multilingual instructions if necessary.
6. Expiry date
Fire blankets should be replaced every 5 to 10 years. You should take note of the manufacture and expiry dates on the packaging as well.
Firechief Fire Blanket in Soft Case, $26-$43
The Firechief soft case fire blanket is a straightforward fire blanket that is made in the UK, and easy to store and use. The blanket is securely held in place by the hook & loop flap at the base of the pack. Pulling the tabs will release the blanket, making it very reliable and easy to operate.
The blanket is made of woven fiberglass and comes in 4 different sizes, and two different storage types. The soft case version is compact and hence easy to store and deploy even for children and elderly, while the rigid case version is designed for easy mounting on the wall.
- Sizes available: 1m x 1m, 1.2m x 1.2m, 1.2m x 1.8m, and 1.8m x 1.8m
- Material: Woven fiberglass (K40 grade), asbestos-free
- Certification: EN 1869:1997
Firechief fire blankets ($26 to $43) can be purchased from Northrock Safety.
Falcon Fire Blanket , $35-$65
Falcon is a well known brand for fire fighting equipment especially fire extinguishers. Its fire blanket is also particularly useful for homes, kitchens and personal protection in case of clothing fires. It is made of woven fiberglass fabric and meets the BS EN 1869:1997 safety and performance standard.
The blanket is stored in a quick release container box that can be taken out for practice and stored back into the box, which is useful to have if you would like to do a fire drill with the whole family to get familiarised with using a fire blanket. However, it is still for single-use only in the case of a fire emergency, and should be disposed of after you have used it to put out a fire.
- Sizes available: 1.2m x 1.2m, 1.2m x 1.8m, 1.8m x 1.8m
- Material: Woven Fiberglass
- Certification: BS EN 1869:1997
Falcon Fire Blanket ($35 to $65) can be purchased from Falcon’s website.
Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket, $25.99
One of the most popular home fire emergency kits, the Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket has more than 20K reviews from the US on Amazon. It is a lightweight fire suppression blanket that is effective on liquid or grease fires. It can also be used as a thermal or heat shield.
The fire blanket has a special double sided coating to increase heat resistance and further prevent fiberglass shards from getting on your skin. It is lightweight so you can bring it for outdoor barbecues and simply deploy the blanket by pulling down the tabs. The packaging has a hole slot so it can also be easily hung on walls.
Although not local reviews, some users in the US have used the fire blanket in real times of emergencies and claimed that the blanket was effective and has saved their kitchens.
- Sizes available: 1m x 1m
- Material: Fiberglass
- Certification: EN 1896:1997
Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket ($25.99) can be purchased from Amazon.
Alestair Fire Blanket, $8.40-$22
On Shopee, the bestselling fire blanket is the local brand, Alestair, that offers both fire blankets and fire escape cloaks. The blanket is made of fiberglass that is heat resistant up to 550°C. Apart from the portable and compact packaging, it also has clear instructions printed on the packaging along with the easy pull-and-release deployment, making it easy to operate for all age groups. The blankets come in 2 types of covers - the soft case that is the most affordable at $8.40 (small size), and hard case cover at $13.80 (small size).
Some users reviewed that they have tested and the blanket indeed releases easily and the quality feels good, even though they have not personally had to use it to put out a fire.
- Sizes available: 1m x 1m, 1.2m x 1.8m
- Material: Fiberglass
- Certification: BS EN 1869:1997
Alestair Fire Blanket ($8.40 to $22) can be purchased from Shopee.
First Response Mart Cobra Fire Blanket, $37.97 (pack of 2)
A very close alternative to the Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket, the First Response Mart Cobra Fire Blanket is the next bestseller on Amazon. It is packaged in a compact and portable packet that is user friendly for all age groups.
The fire blanket is made of 100% Fiberglass Flame Retardant Fabric, offering durability and fire resistance up to 580°C. While the Mart Cobra Fire Blanket is designed for ease of use and effectiveness, some reviews have reported the presence of loose fiberglass fibers upon opening the blanket so it is advisable to handle the blanket with care, and if possible, wear gloves before use to avoid further injuries.
- Sizes available: 1m x 1m
- Material: Fiberglass
- Certification: Unknown
First Response Mart Cobra Fire Blanket ($37.97 for pack of 2) can be purchased from Amazon.
Brave Fire Blanket, $45-$67.90
The Brave Fire is another local brand that offers fire blankets that are resistant to kitchen, electrical, lithium and car fires. The blanket is tested in Singapore for extreme temperature endurance of 550°C for 30 minutes, and has up to 1000°C melting point.
On the Brave Fire’s official website, the fire blanket comes in a standard size of 1.8m x 1.8m that is large enough for 2 adults and 2 children, and can be used on both sides. If you want a smaller size, you can purchase on Shopee where the 1m x 1m version is available. The smaller size weighs 1kg and is light enough to store and retrieve at home or in your car easily.
- Sizes available: 1m x 1m, 1.8m x 1.8m
- Material: unknown
- Certification: EN1869, Australia and New Zealand standards
Brave Fire Blanket ($45 to $67.90) can be purchased from Shopee.
Hercules Fire Blanket, $32
The Hercules Fire Blanket is a premium fire safety product that is widely used for its effectiveness and compliance with international safety standards. Designed to extinguish small fires quickly and safely, it is suitable for various environments, including homes, kitchens, vehicles, schools and offices.
The blanket is made from high quality fiberglass fabric, and tested to withstand temperatures up to 550°C, making it effective against Class A (combustible materials) and Class F (cooking oil) fires up to 3 litres. The blanket is kept in a hard cover plastic box with clear instructions and illustrations printed on the cover itself.
- Sizes available: 1.8m x 1.2m
- Material: Fiberglass
- Certification: EN1869
The Hercules Fire Blanket ($32) can be purchased from Shopee.
XFlame Fire Blanket, $15
The XFlame fire blanket is one of the more affordable options. It is made of fiberglass material and packed in a PVC soft bag for easy storage at home or in cars. It has only one size in 1m x 1m, which is suitable for small fires, and easy for children, elderly and helpers to deploy and manage.
The outer PVC bag has clear instructions and illustrations on how to use the blanket, and has a ring hole on top to hang the bag conveniently somewhere that is easily accessible. It comes with a 12 months warranty and does not have any expiry date.
- Sizes available: 1m x 1m
- Material: Fiberglass
- Certification: EN1869
XFlame Fire Blanket ($15) can be purchased from Shopee.
Bridgehill Fire Blanket
Most fire blankets are pretty similar as they are made from woven fiberglass and come in the same sizes, but Bridgehill’s fire blankets are categorised into various types including car, extreme, lithium and industrial forklift fires.
The Bridgehill Extreme fire blanket is marketed as the fastest and most eco-friendly way to isolate and extinguish small fires, and is effective even in isolating lithium batteries such as in e-scooters and e-bikes.
Instead of just having 2 easy release pull flaps, this fire blanket comes with a metal chain integrated to add weight for easier use. It also comes in 3 different standard sizes that are larger than the other brands’ blankets, and custom sizes to suit your needs. The blankets are made with EV-rated fire blankets of pyroxene, silicone and BridgeTech™ coating and have obtained certifications from US, Germany and Poland for fire protection.
Overall, this might be a better fire safety option for industrial use such as storing it in the warehouse, commercial kitchen or vehicle due to its large size and weight.
- Sizes available: 1.5m x 1.5m, 3m x 3m, 5m x 5m
- Material: EV-rated fire blanket of pyroxene, silicone and BridgeTech™ coating
- Certification: NFPA 701 (USA), DIN SPEC 91489 (Germany), RP-0015/2024 (Poland)
Bridgehill Fire Blankets (price on enquiry) can be purchased from TECS.
Strikers Fire Blanket, $30.50
The Strikers fire blanket is made from fire-retardant fiberglass material which can withstand high temperatures, and comes in 2 different sizes - 1.2m x 1.2m and 1.5m x 1.5m. It is stored in a quick-release container, making it easy to deploy during emergencies.
Due to its size and packaging, the Strikers fire blanket is suitable for homes especially in the case of controlling small fires caused by cooking oil and hot pans, without the mess associated with fire extinguishers. However, it is only available in 2 sizes with the biggest size at 1.5m x 1.5m which means that it may not be effective for putting out fires that spread or kitchens with larger stoves.
- Sizes available: 1.2m x 1.2m, 1.5m x 1.5m
- Material: Fiberglass
- Certification: Unknown
Strikers Fire blanket (from $30.50) can be purchased from Horme Hardware.