A fire blanket is a safety device specifically designed to extinguish incipient (starting) fires. It consists of a sheet of fire retardant material placed over a fire to smother it.
The primary purpose of a fire blanket is to cut off a fire’s oxygen supply, thus stopping the combustion process. This fire suppression method is particularly effective against small fires, such as those that might occur in a kitchen. In some cases, fire blankets can also be used as a protective wrap for individuals trapped in a fire, helping to shield them from the flames.