What is the primary use of a fire blanket?

The primary use of a fire blanket is to extinguish small fires. Fire blankets are designed to smother flames by cutting off the fire's oxygen supply, which is essential for the combustion process. When a fire blanket is placed over a small fire, it effectively starves the fire of the oxygen it needs to continue burning, allowing the fire to be extinguished safely and quickly.

In addition to extinguishing fires, fire blankets can also be used to wrap around a person whose clothing has caught fire, providing an immediate means of protecting them and helping to smother the flames. Their lightweight, compact nature makes them ideal for use in residential settings, kitchens, and workplaces where quick access to a fire suppression tool may be critical.

While cooling fires or insulating equipment may be important in various firefighting techniques, they are not the primary function of a fire blanket. Likewise, protecting windshields is not a relevant use for fire blankets, as they are not designed for that purpose.